The Indian army explained that “several enemy drones flying over” of a military camp in Amritsar in Punjab had been sighted. They were “immediately fought and destroyed by our air defense units”.
Rubio warns for de -escalation
Explosions had previously been reported from several cities in Pakistan. According to the army information, individual floors fired by Indian fighter jets overranged the air defense, but did not do any damage. “Every centimeter of our homeland is defended,” announced the Pakistani government on the X. India platform is obviously willing to continue his “aggression” – and the Pakistani forces are equipped to defend the country's security.
Meanwhile, U.S. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio offered the United States support in the admission of “constructive discussions” between India and Pakistan. During a conversation with Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir, Rubio continued to ask both conflict parties to “find ways to de -escalation,” said his spokeswoman Tammy Bruce on Friday (local time).
Airspace closed over Pakistan
The airspace via Pakistan has been closed for aircraft from 3:15 a.m. (local time; 00.15 CEST) until today, as several media reported, citing the national aviation authority. Previously, according to Indian media, civil flight operations at 32 airports in the north and western India had been hired by order of the authorities until next Wednesday.
On Friday, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his defense minister, the national security consultant and the management team of the army. The results of the consultations were not informed.
G-7 countries warn of further escalation
The G-7 group of leading industrialized nations called on both parties to conflict to practice maximum reluctance and to bring about a peaceful solution in the common dialogue. “Further military escalation is a serious threat to the stability of the region. We are deeply concerned about the security of civilians on both sides,” said a group of states, which, in addition to Germany, but also the USA, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and Great Britain as well as the foreign representative of the European Union.
India's attacks are considered a response to a terrorist attack on April 22nd in the Indian Union territory Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed – most of them Indian tourists. India's government accuses Pakistan of participating, which rejects the leadership in Islamabad. The Kaschmir border area is also an eternal conflict stove between the two sides. The region is divided between Pakistan and India, but both raise demands in the area.
