down drones in the worst fighting with Pakistan in nearly three decades. The explosions in Amritsar - the first heard in the three-day-old conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours - could mark a further expansion in the hostilities that have alarmed world powers. Projectiles and flashes were seen in the night sky above the Indian Kashmir city of Jammu that was plunged into a blackout in the second night of blasts in the region's winter capital, officials and a Reuters journalist said. "Drones have been sighted ... They are being engaged," said an Indian military official who asked not to be named.

Ten blasts were heard near the airport in the Indian Kashmir city of Srinagar and there were explosions in a dozen other locations in the contested region, other security officials added. There was no immediate comment from Pakistan which dismissed Indian accusations that it had launched attacks on the same area on Thursday night. The old foes have been clashing since India struck several areas that it described as "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan last Wednesday in retaliation for a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir last month. Pakistan dismissed Indian accusations that it was involved. Both countries have exchanged cross-border fire and shelling and sent drones and missiles into each other's airspace. Around 48 people have been killed since last Wednesday, according to casualty estimates on both sides of the border that have not been independently verified.

Tourists and villagers fled border zones, residents rushed to stockpile food and people were told to stay indoors in cities in Kashmir and beyond. India's cricket board on Friday suspended the IPL - the sport's richest tournament - and the Pakistan Super League postponed its remaining eight matches. The relationship between India and Pakistan has been fraught with tension since they gained independence from colonial Britain in 1947. The countries have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir, and clashed many times. (Reuters)