What Caused the Explosion Near the Military Airport on Walton Road in Lahore?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Explosion near military airport on Walton Road in Lahore.
- Multiple blasts reported, causing panic among residents.
- Investigation by police is ongoing.
- Operation Sindoor led to precision strikes on terrorist hubs.
- Key air routes in Lahore and Sialkot are closed for commercial flights.
New Delhi, May 8 (NationPress) A loud explosion echoed near the military airport on Walton Road in Lahore on Thursday, coinciding with increasing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Reports indicate multiple blasts occurred in the vicinity of Walton Road, which leads to Lahore Cantonment. Pakistani police officials have confirmed the incident and are currently investigating the specifics surrounding the explosion.
The blasts instigated panic among residents, with eyewitnesses reporting clouds of smoke billowing into the sky as people evacuated their homes in fear.
Shortly after the explosion, sirens blared in the area, amplifying the urgency of the situation.
Additionally, a drone was reportedly spotted near the Walton Airport.
Unverified reports state that two loud blasts were also detected near Askari 5 in Lahore, with smoke emanating from the Naval College.
Earlier that morning, Pakistan had closed several vital air routes in Lahore and Sialkot for commercial flights until noon. A recent Notice to Airmen (Notam) indicated that these air routes would remain shut until Thursday noon.
More information is forthcoming.
This incident follows precision strikes conducted by Indian armed forces under Operation Sindoor, targeting nine critical terror hubs associated with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The precision strikes occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, lasting just 25 minutes. Between 1:05 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., 24 missiles were launched to hit nine terrorist facilities, including the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke and major terror training camps in Bahawalpur, notorious as breeding grounds for extremist activities.
In a statement, the government remarked, "Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory. No Pakistani military installations were targeted. India has exhibited significant restraint in choosing targets and executing operations."