Unidentified Aircraft Crashes into School in Indian-Controlled Kashmir Amid Escalating Tensions

Wuyan, Indian-Controlled Kashmir, May 6, 2025 – An unidentified aircraft crashed into a school building in Wuyan village, Pampore, on the outskirts of Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in the early hours of Wednesday, sparking panic and intensifying concerns amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions. The incident, which occurred shortly after India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, has prompted a swift military response, with authorities sealing off the crash site and restricting access to civilians and journalists.

According to local residents, the crash was preceded by a series of loud explosions and a “huge fire in the sky.” Mohammed Yousuf Dar, a resident of Wuyan village, described the chaotic scene: “We heard several blasts, and then the sky lit up. It was terrifying.” Firefighters battled for hours to extinguish the blaze that engulfed the school, which sustained significant damage. No immediate reports of casualties have emerged, but the full extent of the destruction remains unclear as the area is under strict lockdown.

The crash coincides with India’s “Operation Sindoor,” a series of missile strikes targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, launched in retaliation for a deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The timing has fueled speculation about the aircraft’s origin, with some unverified reports claiming it may be an Indian Air Force fighter jet, while others suggest it could be linked to Pakistan’s retaliatory actions. Pakistan’s state-run television, citing security officials, claimed its air force shot down five Indian jets, though no evidence has substantiated this claim. Indian authorities have not confirmed the aircraft’s identity, and a defense ministry press briefing is scheduled for 10 a.m. local time to address the operation and related developments.

The military’s decision to cordon off the crash site has heightened local anxiety. “Our houses shook, and now we can’t even get near the school to see what happened,” said a resident of nearby Peerbagh, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. Srinagar’s airport has been closed to civilian flights, and several northern Indian airports, including those in Jammu, Leh, and Amritsar, have suspended operations, disrupting regional travel. Airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet have reported cancellations and delays, citing airspace restrictions.

The incident has drawn international attention as India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed neighbors, exchange accusations and threats. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called India’s missile strikes an “act of war,” vowing a “befitting reply,” while India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his commitment to “punish every terrorist and their backer.” The United Nations, through Secretary-General António Guterres, has urged both nations to exercise “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation.

As investigations into the crash begin, questions linger about the aircraft’s origin, the cause of the incident, and its connection to the broader conflict. The sealed-off site in Wuyan village remains a focal point of uncertainty, with residents and observers awaiting official statements. For now, the people of Kashmir, caught in the crossfire of a decades-long rivalry, brace for what may come next in this volatile region.

Sources: Associated Press, The Guardian, The Hindu, Al Jazeera, Reuters

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