LAHORE/SRINAGAR , May 8 — A blast was reported in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Thursday morning, while the Pakistani military claimed it had shot down an Indian drone over Gujranwala in Punjab province, as tensions escalated following Indian airstrikes inside Pakistani territory.
According to local media reports, sirens blared and residents rushed out of their homes following the explosion. The blast was heard in Lahore’s Gopal Nagar and Naseerabad neighborhoods, near Walton Airport.
The cause of the explosion in Lahore remains unclear, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or injuries.
Pakistani authorities have yet to release an official statement.
These developments came a day after India launched airstrikes on what it described as ‘terrorist targets’ in Pakistan, reportedly killing more than 36 people.
The Indian government said the operation, named Operation Sindhoor, was carried out in response to an attack in Pahalgam two weeks ago that left 26 people dead.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting the group behind the attack. Islamabad has denied the allegations and vowed to retaliate against the missile strikes, claiming it shot down five Indian aircraft.
The Indian embassy in Beijing dismissed the reports as “misinformation.”
Meanwhile, wreckage believed to be from the downed aircraft was found in parts of Indian -controlled Kashmir on Wednesday.