Kashmir conflict: India attacks aircraft systems in Pakistan

In the tightened conflict with Pakistan, India, according to its own statements, attacked air defense systems in several locations in the neighboring country. Internationally, concern is growing before a further escalation of the tensions between the two rival nuclear powers. Germany and the other 26 EU countries called both sides to an immediate de-escalation.

The Indian government announced that one of the Pakistani aircraft systems in the city of Lahore near the border had been destroyed. With the shelling on the night of Thursday (local time), the military reacted to Pakistan’s attempt to hit military goals in the north and western India, including in 15 cities, with drones and rockets. However, this could be thwarted. There was initially no confirmation from Islamabad.

Terrorial attack with 26 dead

The trigger of the current tensions is a terrorist attack of April 22nd in the Indian Union territory Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people – mostly Indian tourists – were killed. Neu-Delhi accuses Pakistan. Islamabad rejects this and demanded an independent examination. The Kashmir border region is divided between Pakistan and India, but both countries claim the whole area for themselves.

In response to the attack, the Indian military had flown to several Pakistani destinations on Wednesday night. According to India, several “terrorist camps” were destroyed. India accused the opposite side of having fired grenades in the Kashmir region across the border. Pakistan himself reported five Indian fighter jets.

Pakistan reports drone shot

On Thursday, the Pakistani military declared 25 Indian drones in their own airspace. At least three drones were intercepted above the city of Rawalpindi, which is only a few kilometers from the capital Islamabad. In Rawalpindi there is the headquarters of the Pakistani army. “The Indian drones shot down by the armed forces are Pakistan’s war trophies,” said Minister of Information Atteaullah Tarar.

According to the military, Indian attacks died on the Pakistani side, 57 were injured. In addition, by shooting the Indian drones last night by the falling debris, one person killed and five injured, including four soldiers. The Indian military reported 13 deaths through Pakistani artillery shot last night. Among the dead is a soldier.

According to the civil aviation authority in Pakistan, several airports were temporarily closed on Thursday. Accordingly, the operation at the airports in the millions of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and in the northeastern city of Salkot near the Indian border is discontinued longer until evening or partly.

Several airlines stroked their flights towards Pakistan. In India, too, several airports are closed with the neighboring country due to the tensions. A total of 27 airports are affected in the border regions, Indian media reported. The closure should last until Saturday.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi continued mediation talks in Neu-Delhi after a visit to Pakistan: he met his Indian colleague Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, as Iranian state media reported. The visit was planned longer, said Araghtschi on his arrival. Therefore, there are also economic issues on the agenda. According to the state news agency IRNA, both countries signed three declarations of intent. “Our region needs rest,” he added. That is why Iran wants to convey.

The origins of the now flaming conflict go back to the colonial era. In 1947 the British released the Indian subcontinent into independence and divided it. In addition to the predominantly Hindu India, the new state of Pakistan for Muslims emerged from the division. The violent division continues to feed a bitter rivalry to this day. Since their independence, both countries have waged three wars against each other, two of them around cashmere.