Pakistan have shot down 2 Indian jets, and have closed all airspace to commercial flights.
The escalation came a one day after the Indian Air Force bombed a "terrorist training camp" inside Pakistan.
"We didn't take action earlier without assessing our own damage from Indian airstrikes...Two Indian MiGs that entered Pakistani airspace today after our retaliation were shot down. But where do we go from here?"
History tells us that wars are full of miscalculation. My question is that given the weapons we have can we afford miscalculation"
No reason to suggest it is related to India/Pakistan tensions though
@MarkFieldUK travelling to India tomorrow on a planned trip, and will discuss the crisis while there.
Awaiting confirmation
Indian and Pakistani armies "exchanging heavy fire" at Krishna Ghati and Mendhar along the Line of Control (LoC).
There are also UNCONFIRMED reports of clashes breaking out at multiple other locations.
Neither nation have confirmed yet, but multiple journalists and locals have verified.
Definitely involves mortar shelling + unconfirmed reports of small arms/infantry fighting.
First one 👇👇👇
Pakistan denying India shot down an F16.
BUT we think India are holding two Pakistani pilots, and the one aircraft they’ve accepted was shot down is a single seater.
As was the case in the 2018 Kerch Strait crisis, the respective militaries are in control. Delhi & Islamabad are increasingly becoming spectators.
In other developments, all schools within 5kms of LoC will remain closed tomorrow, via @ANI
A case study in how to make a statement without really saying anything - thanks Guy :)
No suggestion that Iran will get involved any further than at the diplomatic level (yet)
BUT clashes have now resumed - shelling in Akhnoor, near the Chenab River
Side note: I'm learning a lot of Indian and Pakistani geography/place names today....
@flightradar24 has just picked up something taking off from Lahore. It can't tell what but definitely not a commercial airliner...
Caution of a dodgy translation, but that's fairly clear....
Due to the airspace closure, it’s one of only two aircraft currently visible in Pakistani airspace on civilian air traffic radar.
Via @flightradar24
Via: a source on the ground
This is rather new for me - using @Snapchat for OSINT.
As of 7 mins ago, shelling continues along LoC. It's now 100% clear that both sides are shelling the other - it's NOT one way aggression.
That's just 40km from the LoC where clashes are still continuing.
That's the closest jets have been seen to the LoC (from what I can tell)
Via @geonews_urdu
"Jets are doing rounds over Karachi again" tweets one user
Will try and get more info now....
Via @KazmiWajahat
Unclear in which direction they were heading.
Via local source on the ground (@masifmanan)
“Ground facilities including health and emergency facilities are red alert”
I was rather slow to pick up on this - it’s 1 hour old news 😬
Via @khalid_pk
Struggling to find that many sources for this - take with a pinch of salt.
If I'm being honest, it's dark and I can't tell.....
They haven't yet had a response.
Source: @BDUTT
Indian officials say Pakistan's reference to two pilots being held was because two Pakistani pilots bailed out and one was mistaken for Indian pilots according to @BDUTT
I'm still a bit confused...
"A blackout in Sialkot Cantt area. Army patrolling and asking residents to keep a minimum visibility protocol" - @ucmanshahid
Pakistan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood says India is expected to launch an offensive, either through the coastal or desert regions, tonight.
All via @KazmiWajahat
Not audible in the video, but there are still reports of Pakistani fast jets flying low over the city.
It's hard to track naval movement in the area. It's next to impossible for me to verify rumours of maritime activity.
Via @dawn_com
Via @ELINTNews
VERY difficult to verify, but certainly a concern if true cc @AliBunkallSKY
Via @geonews_urdu
“We would certainly like to have more, and would certainly like to see more active involvement of the United States,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Asad Khan.
Via @Reuters
Says Shanahan has spoken with Bolton, Dunford, General Votel and Admiral Davidson.
Via @idreesali114
"Jets flying at a very low altitude here in Rawalpindi right now" - @AhmedGohar96
Not much else. The shelling and mortar fire appears to have stopped.
For the next few hours, likely to just be air and maritime activity
Is anyone able to translate?
"Sialkot :- Severe firing with heavy guns from both sides.. clearly being heard now" - @ZakiCheemaPTI
Apparently it’s normal for them to be tested at 3am.....
BUT the usual maritime caveat: it's really hard to verify this sort of thing.....
Difficult to tell which direction they’re heading
"Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced complete closure of flight operations for all domestic and international airlines across Pakistan till further orders" - @ANI
(Great spot from @ELINTNews)
It’s going to be an interesting day
But now as dawn breaks, Indian jets too are beginning to take-off.
"After a lull of about a few hours, and at the break of dawn, jets again take to skies in Indian controlled Kashmir" - @_projectkashmir
“Pakistan to restore its airspace for commercial aviation temporarily” - @AirportPakistan
“5 civilians have been injured today as a result of Indian firing and shelling on Line of Control, Battal sector” - @khalid_pk
That sounds positive
Via @eha_news
As ever, TAKE WITH A PINCH OF SALT.
Source: @khalid_pk
Now there are also reports of RPGs and small arms being used along the LoC - the distance between the respective forces is it would seem falling.
Via @ShivAroor
Via @makboolveeray
This is (supposedly) having an impact on regional stock markets, although I haven't seen any evidence of that yet.
Via multiple sources, including @DunyaNews and @maryashakil
Via @DevirupaM
"In our desire of peace, I announce that tomorrow, and as a first step to open negotiations, Pakistan will be releasing the India Air Force Officer in our custody"
"PAF fighters deserve praise. They have made the nation proud. It has been proven that our armed forces will defend every inch of this land and not hesitate from making any sacrifices"
Via @dawn_com
"Reports suggest a woman has been killed by a #Pakistani artillery shelling attack in Mendhar, Poonch, #India. #Pakistan" - @AuroraIntel
The military reportedly need to update their messaging in light of the Wing Commander Abhinandan release announcement.
All via @ShivAroor
Via @dawn_com
BUT no confirmation from @AirportPakistan or a NOTAM yet.
Just a statement.
Shame
Via: sources cited by @shreyadhoundial for @CNNnews18
IF his claims are true, India planned to attack, but then changed their mind.
So what changed?
Via @MoeedNj
Via @Natsecjeff & @khalid_pk
1/2
"We are concerned about the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and the dangerous manoeuvring of the two countries' armed forces near the Line of Control"
2/2
Interestingly, there have been no reports from within the region of this being the case.
Via @Homesecpak
Urged them to avoid "any action that would escalate and greatly increase risk"
Via @ReutersIndia
Indian radars detected Pak fighters breaching Indian air space at various levels yesterday. Indian Su 30, MiG 21 and Mirage 2000 were sent to intercept
It fell in Pakistan occupied Kashmir
"Pakistan has targeted our military installations so they have escalated it" via @pzfahad
India 👇👇👇
Via @manupubby
This sounds so lovely, fluffy, and peaceful. All is groovy.....
Via @dawn_com
Khan used calm, peaceful language. He was very convincing in his assertion that he wanted everything to de-escalate.
The Indian military have taken to the stage and have shattered that.
Just seen a report that they'll also be closed tomorrow. It would make sense - clashes along the border are yet to calm down.
Via @JAMMULINKS
UAE pledged support to Pakistan.
Via @khawajaNNInews
As ever, pinch of salt required.
Several casualties have been reported by both sides as a result of the shelling today.
Via @khalid_pk
Pakistani sources are insisting @MohamedBinZayed has sided with Pakistan. Hard to verify obviously.
No leave until further notice.
Via @MumbaiMirror
The handover is rumoured to be at the border village of Wagah, but that is as yet unconfirmed.
Pics @ShirazHassan