Just a day after India carried out airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) targeting terror launchpads, Lahore on Thursday was jolted by at least 3 bomb blasts. As per an India TV report, the blast occurred near the military airport in Lahore's Walton Road. As per initial reports, these explosions targeted the army vehicle, which created panic in the entire city of Lahore. A stampede-like situation was seen in the city, and the army came out on the streets.
One of these explosions took place near Lahore Airport. After the blasts in Lahore, Lahore Airport has been closed. Not only this, after these blasts, Pakistan's airspace has been completely closed. The blast was heard in quick succession in the Gopal Nagar and Naseerabad areas of Lahore near the Walton Airport. Footage showed people fleeing their homes in panic, with witnesses describing clouds of smoke rising into the air.
In Lahore Airport Blast video, emergency sirens were seen blaring after the blast while police and fire brigade personnel rushed to the site. The area lies near Lahore's posh central business district and the Lahore army cantonment.
Preliminary reports said the explosions occurred during a training exercise of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), although the exact reason behind the explosions remains unclear and no official word on it has come yet.
Indo-Pak Tensions
Since the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the situation between India and Pakistan has remained tense. Pakistan had closed its airspace to India due to the possible attack by India. But on the night between 6 and 7 May, India carried out airstrikes on 4 terrorist bases in Pakistan and 5 in PoK. After this, all foreign flight services turned away from Pakistan.
However, Pakistan started opening its airspace slowly from yesterday i.e. Wednesday, 7 May. But after the blasts in Lahore today, the airspace has had to be closed again.
Yesterday evening, the Balochistan Liberation Army had blown up a vehicle of the Pakistani army there. According to reports, at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed in this action by fighters fighting for the independence of Balochistan.