Loud Explosion in Lahore Sparks Panic Day After India’s Operation Sindoor

A loud explosion rocked Lahore on Thursday morning, just a day after India’s targeted military strikes under Operation Sindoor. According to Geo TV and a Reuters witness, the blast was heard in Gopal Nagar and Naseerabad, near Walton Airport. Sirens reportedly blared as residents fled their homes in fear. The cause of the explosion remains unconfirmed.

Flight operations at Lahore, Karachi, and Sialkot airports were temporarily suspended, though officials have not directly linked the suspension to the explosion. The incident has intensified tensions in the region following India’s unprecedented military operation across the border.

On Wednesday, India launched Operation Sindoor, a carefully executed assault on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 Indian civilians, most of whom were Hindus. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the operation was “precise and restrained,” ensuring no damage to civilian or economic infrastructure.

India accused Pakistan-based terror groups of orchestrating the Pahalgam massacre, prompting a firm response from New Delhi. Pakistan, however, denied any involvement and labeled India’s action a “cowardly attack.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed a “befitting reply” and said the enemy “won’t achieve its goals.”

The fallout from the operation is already being felt economically, with the Indian rupee weakening in non-deliverable forward markets. Pakistan also moved quickly to shut its airspace, as confirmed by Pakistan International Airlines.

While the exact cause of the Lahore explosion remains unclear, the timing has raised concern amid heightened regional tensions. With both nations standing firm in their positions, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether this standoff escalates further or gives way to diplomacy.