Nur Khan, Shorkot, and Murid—have come under attack amid escalating military tensions with India. The blasts, reported in Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, have heightened fears of further conflict.

By Mubasher Bukhari and Saurabh Sharma LAHORE/AMRITSAR (Reuters) -A blast was heard in Pakistan's Lahore city on Thursday, broadcaster Geo TV and a Reuters witness said, a day after Indian strikes on multiple targets in the country and fears of a larger military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

India has retaliated against Pakistan's attempts to attack civil installations with aggressive and forceful actions. The Indian Army has responded to ceasefire violations with heavy shelling along the Line of Control.

Pakistan’s air defense system shot down an Indian drone early Thursday in the eastern city of Lahore, according to Pakistani officials, as India evacuated thousands of people from villages near the two countries' highly militarized frontier in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Amid fears of further escalation, Pakistan said it shot down 12 drones overnight, while India said it targeted an air defense system in Lahore.

Pakistan and India accused each other of launching drone attacks, and Islamabad’s Defence Minister said further retaliation was “increasingly certain”, on the second day of major clashes between the nuclear-armed neighbours.