Kashmir Airport Hit by Ten Explosions Amid India-Pakistan Conflict:
By Peter Aitken and Gabe Whisnant
Ten explosions were reported near Srinagar International Airport in the India-administered region of Kashmir, according to officials speaking to Reuters.
Newsweek reached out to the Pakistani embassy in the U.S. by email on Friday afternoon for comment.
Why It Matters
The reported explosions occured amid escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals of India and Pakistan. Soldiers from both sides have exchanged fire multiple times following an attack on tourists in the India-controlled part of Kashmir on April 22. The attack left 26 civilians dead, and India blamed Pakistan for the attack
The action escalated this week when India conducted airstrikes in Pakistani territory, which killed 31 civilians despite officials saying they were militant-related targets. A massive hourlong air battle involving some 125 Indian and Pakistani jets broke out on Wednesday, followed by heavy volleys of shells and gunfire overnight Thursday.
India has about 172 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan possesses roughly 170, according to the Arms Control Association.
What To Know
The blasts came after a series of blackouts triggered by multiple projectiles observed in the sky above the nearby city of Jammu earlier on Friday. The Indian military said it had shot down drones, an unnamed Indian military official told Reuters.
"Drones have been sighted ... They are being engaged," the official, who asked for anonymity, said.
Local security analysts told Newsweek that a Pakistani drone had intended to attack the Awantipora Air Force Base in Kashmir, roughly 20 miles from Srinagar International Airport. No casualties were reported.
The analysts said most of these drones are without payload and speculated that Pakistan may be trying to exhaust India's ammo supplies, although it could also serve to help map out the location of air defense batteries.
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Both countries have shelled targets across the border and launched missiles into each other's airspace over the past few days. Estimates on casualties have yet to be independently verified, but both sides have claimed dozens of casualties since Wednesday.
Pakistan has accused India of "serious provocation" after a drone strike near Lahore, which killed four soldiers and a civilian and injured another civilian even as Pakistani forces shot down a dozen drones.
Despite U.S. ties to both countries, with the U.S. counting India as a Major Defense Partner and Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally, Vice President JD Vance claimed that a potential war between the neighboring, nuclear-armed countries is "none of our business."
Airport in Kashmir
An ambulance carries the body Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Manish Ranjan, who was among the 26 people killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir, at the Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on... More Associated Press
What People Are Saying
A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek in response to an email query: "The United States supports direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encourages continued efforts to improve communication, reduce tensions, and put a stop to this violence," and referred to previous statements from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio that "we want this situation to stop."
"We want to see an end to the violence, and we urge both sides to prevent the situation from escalating further," the spokesperson wrote, adding, "The United States remains engaged around the world through our diplomatic missions and will continue to do so regardless of regional conflicts."
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Friday at a press conference: "Our intention has not been to escalate matters. We are only responding to the original escalations, as I said. And our response has been targeted, precise, controlled and measured. No military targets have been selected. Only terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan has been hit."
A spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Affairs said during a press briefing on Friday: "We all are aware of the recent tensions in Pakistan-India relations. India has been violating Pakistan's sovereignty since 7 May 2025. Condemnably, the Indian strikes against Pakistan have endangered the regional peace and stability."
"Pakistan unequivocally condemns these illegal acts. The Indian actions are a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms governing the inter-state relations," the spokesperson said. "It is most unfortunate that India's reckless conduct has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict. India's jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world."
Vice President JD Vance during an interview with Fox News this week: "What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit, but we're not going to get involved in the middle of war that's fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America's ability to control it."
Representative Ami Bera, a California Democrat, issued a statement Friday, saying: "Tensions must not be allowed to spiral into broader conflict. I am actively working with the Administration and Congressional leaders to support a path toward de-escalation. This is not just about addressing the immediate crisis — it is an opportunity to open the door to a broader conversation about how to resolve the long-standing conflict and tensions in the region."
He added: "I also urge both India and Pakistan to work with the State Department and international partners to support efforts for a ceasefire and begin laying the groundwork for a more permanent solution."
What Happens Next?
World leaders continue to urge restraint from both sides, with Pakistan saying earlier this week that the government is "willing to wrap up these things" if India stops its attacks, but promised that "if India attacks, we'll respond."
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