Key Points:
- The US Consulate in Lahore has issued an urgent advisory for American citizens to evacuate or shelter in place after Indian drone strikes neutralized Pakistani air defenses.
- India’s Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing around 100 terrorists in response to the Pahalgam attack.
- Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting with top military and intelligence officials; airports in Lahore and Karachi were closed as a precaution.
- US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate, urging both nations to de-escalate and return to dialogue.
- The US has reiterated its “Do Not Travel” advisory for Pakistan and areas near the India-Pakistan border due to the risk of armed conflict.
Washington/New Delhi/Islamabad: Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a critical juncture following India’s Operation Sindoor and subsequent drone strikes on Pakistani territory. The US Consulate in Lahore has issued an urgent advisory for American citizens, directing them to either evacuate the city or shelter in place after a series of drone explosions and airspace incursions were reported early Thursday.
US Advisory: Evacuate or Shelter, Avoid Conflict Zones
The US Consulate’s alert follows confirmed reports that Indian forces used attack drones to neutralize Pakistani air defense systems in Lahore and Rawalpindi, targeting radar installations in response to Pakistan’s failed attempts to strike Indian military targets the previous night. The advisory urges US citizens to have evacuation plans that do not rely on government assistance, carry up-to-date travel documents, monitor local media, and cooperate with authorities. Areas near Lahore’s main airport are reportedly being evacuated as a precaution.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack
India launched Operation Sindoor after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. In a coordinated operation, Indian forces fired 24 missiles at nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly killing around 100 militants. The strikes specifically targeted terror infrastructure, with Indian officials emphasizing that no civilian or economic sites were hit.
Pakistan on High Alert: Emergency Meetings and Airport Closures
In response to the escalating crisis, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called an emergency meeting in Islamabad with senior military and intelligence officials to assess the situation and determine next steps. Airports in Lahore and Karachi were closed overnight, and the country was placed on “red alert,” with government hospitals and security forces on emergency footing.
Trump Offers to Mediate, Calls for Restraint
Amid fears of further escalation, US President Donald Trump publicly offered to mediate between India and Pakistan, urging both nuclear-armed nations to halt hostilities and return to dialogue. “They’ve gone tit-for-tat, so hopefully they can stop now,” Trump said, emphasizing America’s good relations with both countries and a desire to see a peaceful resolution.
US Reiterates Travel Warnings
The US State Department has reiterated its “Do Not Travel” advisory for areas near the India-Pakistan border and for Pakistan as a whole, citing the risk of terrorism and armed conflict. The embassy and consulates remain open but are closely monitoring developments and will provide updates to US citizens as needed.
Following India’s targeted strikes on Pakistani terror infrastructure and subsequent drone attacks on air defense systems, US authorities have issued an urgent alert for Americans in Lahore, advising evacuation or sheltering in place. With Pakistan on high alert, airports closed, and both sides bracing for further escalation, US President Trump has called for calm and offered to mediate, underscoring the global concern over the risk of war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
