Pakistan and India accuse each other of waves of drone attacks

AT LEAST 45 DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FROM BOTH SIDES AMID ESCALATION

- NEW DELHI

India and Pakistan accused each other yesterday of carrying out waves of drone attacks, as deadly confrontations between the nuclear-armed neighbours drew global calls for calm.

Pakistan's army said it shot down 25 Indian drones, while New Delhi accused Islamabad of launching overnight raids with “drones and missiles”, and claimed it destroyed an air defence system in Lahore.

The fighting comes two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing an attack on the Indian-run side of disputed Kashmir, which Pakistan denied.

At least 45 deaths have been reported from both sides following a sharp escalation on Wednesday, when India launched missiles it said targeted “terrorist camps”, and Pakistan retaliated with a barrage of artillery strikes.