Explosions Reported at Lahore's Walton Airport Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions
Lahore, Pakistan – May 8, 2025
A series of explosions were reported at Walton Airport in Lahore early Thursday morning, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. The incident occurred around 09:16 AM IST, a day after India conducted precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, escalating tensions between the two nations.
A series of explosions were reported at Walton Airport in Lahore early Thursday morning, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. The incident occurred around 09:16 AM IST, a day after India conducted precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Visuals from the scene show a significant presence of ambulances and emergency personnel, with crowds gathered near the airport. The reported blasts come in the wake of heightened security measures across Pakistan, including the closure of airspace for commercial flights at Lahore and Islamabad airports late Wednesday night, as confirmed by the Pakistan Airports Authority. Authorities have not yet released an official statement on the cause of the explosions or any casualties, though some sources suggest the incident may be linked to a civil defense drill, similar to exercises recently conducted in India at major airports like Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The timing of the incident is notable, following India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted terror infrastructure in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. India’s strikes, which hit sites in Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulted in a reported death toll of 31 and 46 injuries, according to Pakistani military sources. India described the operation as a measured response, avoiding Pakistani military targets to prevent further escalation. The two countries have seen increased cross-border strikes since 2016, with tensions peaking after aerial engagements in 2019.
Lahore’s airports have faced challenges in recent months. On April 26, a massive fire erupted at Allama Iqbal International Airport when a Pakistan Army plane’s tire caught fire during landing, leading to flight cancellations and highlighting ongoing infrastructure issues in the region, as reported by The Financial Express.
The international community remains on edge as the situation unfolds. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus has called for de-escalation, emphasizing the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations into the Walton Airport incident continue.
