Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned and rejected Pakistan's claims that Indian forces are targeting their own cities. The MEA dismissed these accusations as a "deranged fantasy," highlighting the heightened state of alert in Delhi and the ongoing security measures in response to cross-border hostilities.
The current crisis was triggered by a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. India has accused Pakistan of supporting the militant group responsible for the attack. Pakistan has denied any involvement and has called for a neutral investigation.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, conducting missile strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan claims that these strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 31 people, including civilians. India maintains that its strikes only targeted "terrorist infrastructure".
Pakistan has accused India of targeting its own citizens and religious sites to incite anti-Pakistan sentiment. Specifically, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar claimed that India launched four missiles that struck its own installations in Amritsar and that an Indian drone was shot down over Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. India has vehemently denied these allegations, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stating that Pakistan is shelling such sites with a "particular design". India also accused Pakistan of targeting a school, resulting in the death of two students.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the MEA has accused the Pakistani military of launching approximately 300 to 400 drones, identified as Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models, targeting Indian positions. The MEA further claimed that Pakistan kept its civilian airspace open during the assault, endangering commercial airliners. Indian military officials reported that these attacks were thwarted, and a Pakistani air defense system in Lahore was neutralized.
Pakistan has refuted India's claims of attacking military installations in multiple cities, calling them "false, baseless, and politically motivated". They claim that India is attempting to divert attention from internal challenges and military shortcomings. Pakistan's military spokesperson stated that they intercepted and neutralized 29 hostile drones sent by India.
Amid the escalating tensions, there are reports of heavy firing across the Line of Control, air raid sirens in multiple cities, and the testing of air defense protocols in Delhi. The international community has expressed concern, with the United States and China calling for de-escalation. Russia has offered to mediate the crisis.
The current situation marks one of the most intense periods of border tensions in recent years between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The exchange of accusations and denials, coupled with military actions, has heightened fears of a broader conflict.
