PAMPORE, India — An aircraft crashed into a school building on the outskirts of Pampore, a town in Indian-administered Kashmir, early Wednesday morning amidst rising tensions following missile strikes by India on targets in Pakistan. Eyewitnesses reported witnessing a fireball in the sky, followed by multiple explosions, leading to confusion and panic among local residents.
Mohammed Yousuf Dar, a resident of Wuyan village near the crash site, described the dramatic scene, stating, “There was a huge fire in the sky. Then we heard several blasts.” Firefighters battled to control the blazes that erupted as a result of the crash, while police and military personnel cordoned off the area to secure the site.
Reports indicate that a portion of the aircraft, believed to be a fuel tank, fell into the compound of a nearby mosque, further alarming local residents. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed, but authorities are investigating in light of the heightened military tensions resulting from recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
The incident occurred shortly after India launched missile strikes in both Pakistan and the Pakistani-controlled territory of Kashmir, an escalation that has drawn international concern. Pakistani officials reported that at least 19 people, including a child, lost their lives in the overnight attacks, which they condemned as acts of aggression. In response, Indian officials cited retaliatory shelling from Pakistan, claiming that at least 10 individuals had been killed in Indian-administered Kashmir due to the exchanges.
In a separate development, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri articulated concerns over links between militant groups in Pakistan and the recent wave of violence in the disputed region. Misri stated that investigations revealed connections among those involved in a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, and affiliated groups operating from Pakistan.
The Indian government characterized its military actions as necessary for deterrence, denouncing Pakistan for failing to curb cross-border terrorism. Misri emphasized that India remains committed to safeguarding its citizens and will respond forcefully to any future threats.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military claimed it acted in self-defense by shooting down several Indian aircraft, confirming the destruction of five planes, including three Rafale jets and a drone. Officials in Islamabad denounced India’s actions as cowardly and expressed their commitment to defending the nation’s sovereignty.
Amid the escalating conflict, nations around the world are urging both sides to exercise restraint. Australia’s government has reached out to both India and Pakistan, advocating for a de-escalation of hostilities. A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong remarked, “We don’t want to see escalatory actions, which pose a risk to regional peace and security.”
As the situation evolves, both nations are under pressure to engage in dialogue and seek diplomatic solutions to avoid further loss of life and destabilization of the region. The international community watches closely as developments unfold, hoping for a resolution to the decades-long conflict that continues to claim lives and disrupt the lives of millions.