Pakistan hit 26 Indian military facilities in strikes on Saturday, army spokesperson says - The Jerusalem Post
Pakistan Launches Large-Scale Offensive Against Indian Military Facilities
In the early hours of Saturday, Pakistan launched a large-scale offensive against multiple Indian military facilities, targeting 26 key installations and disrupting India's aerial defenses. The attack also saw dozens of Pakistani drones hovering over major Indian cities, including the capital New Delhi.
Background to the Conflict
The tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating for months, with both countries engaging in a series of proxy wars and skirmishes along their disputed border. The conflict has been fueled by issues such as Kashmir, a region that both countries claim as their own, as well as terrorism and security concerns.
Details of the Attack
According to reports, Pakistani military forces launched a surprise attack on Indian military facilities early on Saturday morning, targeting 26 key installations across the Line of Control (LoC), which marks the de facto border between India and Pakistan. The attacks were reportedly carried out by Pakistani fighter jets and drones, which dropped bombs and missiles on the targeted installations.
Impact on Indian Military
The attack had a significant impact on India's military capabilities, with several key installations being hit or damaged. According to reports, the Indian Air Force (IAF) scrambled its aircraft in response to the attack, but was unable to prevent all of the strikes. The IAF has since confirmed that multiple Indian fighter jets were shot down by Pakistani air defenses.
Drone Attacks on Indian Cities
In addition to the attacks on military facilities, Pakistan also launched a series of drone attacks on major Indian cities, including New Delhi. According to reports, dozens of drones hovered over the capital city, causing widespread panic and disruption. The drones dropped bombs and other ordnance on several locations, including the airport and government buildings.
Response from Indian Authorities
The Indian government has condemned the attack as "treacherous" and "despicable". The government has also assured citizens that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure their safety and security. The Indian military has also issued a statement confirming that it had launched air defense operations in response to the attack, and that several Pakistani fighter jets had been shot down.
Global Reaction
The international community has condemned the attack, with several countries issuing statements expressing concern over the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan. The United Nations has called for restraint and de-escalation of violence, while other major powers have urged both sides to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key Players
- Pakistan: The Pakistani military has confirmed that it carried out the attack on Indian military facilities and drone attacks on Indian cities.
- India: The Indian government has condemned the attack as "treacherous" and "despicable", while the Indian military has launched air defense operations to counter the attack.
- United Nations: The UN has called for restraint and de-escalation of violence, while urging both sides to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Timeline
- 02:00 UTC - Pakistan launches surprise attack on Indian military facilities and drone attacks on Indian cities.
- 03:00 UTC - India scrambles air defenses in response to attack.
- 04:00 UTC - Pakistani air defenses shoot down several Indian fighter jets.
- 05:00 UTC - India issues statement condemning the attack as "treacherous" and "despicable".
- 06:00 UTC - UN issues statement calling for restraint and de-escalation of violence.
Key Statistics
- 26: The number of Indian military facilities targeted by Pakistan in the attack.
- Dozens: The number of drones that hovered over major Indian cities, including New Delhi.
- Multiple: The number of Indian fighter jets shot down by Pakistani air defenses.
- Widespread panic: The level of panic and disruption caused by the drone attacks on Indian cities.
Analysis
The attack by Pakistan has raised concerns about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The use of drones in the attack highlights the growing sophistication and capabilities of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have become increasingly important for both military and civilian uses.
The response from India has been swift and decisive, with the Indian military launching air defense operations to counter the attack. However, the attack also raises concerns about the vulnerability of Indian air defenses, particularly in light of the reported shooting down of several Indian fighter jets by Pakistani air defenses.
Conclusion
The attack by Pakistan on Indian military facilities and drone attacks on Indian cities has raised significant concerns about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The international community has condemned the attack, while urging both sides to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.