The United States issued an urgent travel alert for Pakistan on Thursday following an Indian drone strike near Lahore that injured four Pakistani soldiers and killed a civilian, escalating military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The U.S. Consulate General in Lahore directed all personnel to shelter in place amid reports of drone explosions and possible airspace incursions in the city.
"Due to reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions in and near Lahore, the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore has directed all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place," the State Department said in a security alert. The agency urged U.S. citizens to "depart areas of active conflict if they can safely do so," or otherwise to remain sheltered.
The alert followed an Indian military operation targeting Pakistani radar and air defense systems in response to Pakistan's attempted strikes on Indian military facilities. India's Ministry of Defense stated, "It has been reliably learnt that an air defense system at Lahore has been neutralized." The ministry added that the Indian Armed Forces "reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military."
Pakistan's army spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, condemned the Indian drone strike as "yet another blatant act of military aggression" and a "serious, serious provocation." Chaudhry said India had launched drones at multiple targets in Pakistan, and while 12 were shot down, one managed to strike a military site near Lahore. Another drone crash in Sindh province killed a civilian and injured another.
The heightened conflict follows India's "Operation Sindoor," a missile and drone campaign launched in response to the April 22 massacre of 26 Hindu tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India has blamed the attack on Pakistan-backed militants, a charge Islamabad denies.
The risk of escalation has drawn international concern. The U.S., U.K., and Canada have all issued updated travel advisories, warning their citizens of increased military activity and the possibility of rapid deterioration in the security situation.
The U.S. Embassy advised Americans in Pakistan to review their security plans, carry valid identification, remain alert, and avoid areas of military activity. It also warned that Pakistan's airspace remains closed and many flights are canceled.
The United Kingdom's Foreign Office advised against all travel within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border and noted that the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority had shut down national airspace for at least 48 hours. "We are continuing to monitor the situation closely," the U.K. advisory said.
Canada issued a parallel alert advising its citizens to avoid Jammu and Kashmir and remain 10 kilometers away from India's border with Pakistan. "Tensions could increase and the situation could deteriorate rapidly," the Canadian government warned, citing artillery exchanges across the Line of Control.
Flights remain suspended across Pakistan's major airports, including Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, while over two dozen airports in northern and western India have also been affected.
