India, Pakistan trade blows in worst cross-border fighting in decades

India and Pakistan accused each other on Friday of launching fresh military attacks, as deadly drone and artillery exchanges entered a third straight day in what officials and observers say is the most serious escalation between the nuclear-armed rivals in nearly 30 years.

Tensions erupted on Wednesday after India said it carried out precision strikes on multiple targets inside Pakistan, which it described as “terrorist camps.”

The strikes came in response to a deadly assault on Hindu pilgrims in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that killed 19 people.

Since then, both countries have reported mounting casualties, including civilian deaths on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border that divides the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Neither side has released official military casualty figures, but local reports suggest dozens may have been killed or wounded.

On Friday, Pakistan’s military claimed it had intercepted and shot down several Indian drones in its airspace and responded with “calibrated artillery fire.”

Meanwhile, India’s defence ministry said it had targeted “launch pads” used by militants and retaliated against “unprovoked shelling” by Pakistan.

The Indian foreign ministry accused Islamabad of harboring terrorist groups responsible for the recent attack on civilians and warned of “further consequences” if provocations continued. Pakistan’s foreign office rejected the claims and said India’s actions were a “violation of international law and sovereignty.”

The escalation has alarmed the international community. The United Nations and several major powers, including the United States and China, have urged both sides to exercise restraint and open diplomatic channels.

Kashmir, claimed in full by both countries but controlled in parts, has long been a flashpoint. While skirmishes and ceasefire violations are not uncommon, the current hostilities mark a sharp deterioration, with drone warfare playing a prominent role for the first time in the region’s conflict dynamics.

As the situation deteriorates, analysts warn that continued military escalation could spiral out of control, especially given the nuclear capabilities of both nations.

Diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with both capitals digging in rhetorically. In the absence of dialogue, residents along the LoC continue to bear the brunt of the violence — many fleeing their homes amid ongoing shelling.