Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a new peak, turning the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir into a scene of intense fighting. On the night of May 9, 2025, a series of powerful explosions rocked northern India, with both sides trading accusations of missile and drone attacks. Political rhetoric is heating up, raising the risk of a full-scale war between the nuclear powers, alarming the global community.

At least a dozen blasts have rocked the city of Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab, near Srinagar International Airport in Indian-administered Kashmir, Reuters reports. Locals have reported panic caused by sirens and flashes in the sky, believed to be from missiles or drones. The Indian military said Pakistan had attempted to attack military bases in Jammu and Kashmir, but the threat was neutralized by air defense systems including the S-400. No casualties were reported among the troops, but The Times of India reported damage to infrastructure in border areas.

Pakistan, for its part, accuses India of carrying out a massive strike on the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, Punjab province. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif, a Pakistani army spokesman, said India fired six ballistic missiles from the city of Adampur, with one allegedly hitting Adampur itself and the other five landing near Amritsar. Pakistani media also reported an alleged Indian drone attack on the Punjab city of Firozpur, where unconfirmed reports claimed civilian casualties. Platform X reported Pakistani armored vehicles moving toward the border, fueling speculation about preparations for a ground operation.

India has responded to the escalation with drastic measures. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has suspended operations at 32 airports in northern and western states until May 15, 2025, citing the threat of air strikes. New Delhi and other major cities have been put on high alert, with patrols and inspections stepped up. Pakistan has also restricted movement in cities including Islamabad and Lahore, with local authorities urging citizens to avoid public places. The economic impact of the conflict is already being felt, with the Indian stock market plunging and the Pakistani rupee losing ground, according to Bloomberg.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that India was forcing Pakistan into a full-scale war with its "aggressive actions." At the same time, US Vice President Jay Vance stressed that Washington does not intend to interfere in the conflict, calling it an "internal matter" of the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the parties to immediately cease fire, but diplomatic efforts have not yielded results so far, the BBC reports.