A senior French intelligence official has confirmed to CNN that Pakistan shot down an Indian Rafale jet, marking what could be the first known combat loss of the French-made aircraft.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified after Indian air and drone strikes killed at least 31 Pakistani civilians, targeting mosques and residential areas in Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Narowal.

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.

The platform was initially banned in February 2024 following political unrest and widespread misinformation circulating online.

The root cause of the disruption was India’s missile attacks on Pakistani territory, which triggered the emergency grounding of flights.

Pakistani citizens react to Operation Sindoor on social media

Here is what we know about the crisis, and the background behind it.

Here is a round-up of what airlines are doing to avoid flying over the conflict zone.

Nations call for restraint as India launches ‘Operation Sindoor’, attacking several sites in Pakistan, which in response claims to down Indian jets.

India said the strikes hit only “terror camps” and no civilian or military targets. It said it had exercised “considerable restraint” in its target selection.

Russia has expressed its deep concerns over the rising violence between India and Pakistan, and is urging both nations to take measures to prevent further escalation.

The Pakistan military said on Monday it had conducted a missile test with a range of 120 kilometres (75 miles), the second launch in two days as tensions with India have soared over disputed Kashmir.