Night of terror in Pakistan: 'Abu Ji, we’re under attack’

In the darkest hour of night, a barrage of missiles ripped through villages near Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province. By 12:33 a.m., four massive explosions had lit the skies and shattered windows across entire neighborhoods.

Zubair, a resident of Nangal Sadhan, described the harrowing moment: “There were two initial explosions, and the third hit the ground, flames shot up. The fourth was a missile we saw in the air. It exploded above us, but the blast was so powerful our buildings shook. Windows shattered. Everyone ran outside. We turned off all the lights.”

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In nearby Bahawalpur city, another man watched the flames from his rooftop: “Three missiles came in fast. When they struck, it felt like an earthquake. I ran downstairs. The whole village went dark, even vehicles turned off their lights, and some crashed into each other.”

Residents confirmed the strikes caused widespread panic. “My children woke me up shouting, ‘Abu Ji, we’re under attack.’ That’s when I stepped out and saw the chaos,” said another witness. “Everyone had fled their homes. The power was out. Then came the Rangers, police, and ambulances.”

The Bilal Mosque in Nangal Sadhan, a village in Muridke, bore the brunt of the assault.

“This mosque was struck by a missile,” reported Usama Manj, a Nukta's Lahore correspondent. “It’s a two-story building, now heavily damaged. Security forces are here, clearing debris. The area is sealed. At least one fatality has been confirmed. Some injured have been taken away.”

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Nukta Lahore Editor Murtaza Dar, also reporting from Nangal Sadhan, added: “The population here is between 20,000 and 25,000. People are distraught but composed. Rangers and medics are everywhere. Civilians are not being allowed past the cordon.”

The missile strikes were part of India’s Operation Sindoor, which New Delhi claims targeted terrorist infrastructure following an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly Hindus. Islamabad has condemned the strikes as a “blatant act of war.”

Pakistan says 26 civilians died and 46 were injured. India reported seven dead and 35 injured in retaliatory shelling by Pakistan. Airspace disruptions grounded flights across both nations. Schools are closed. The psychological toll is still unfolding.