NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -A blast was heard in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore on Thursday morning, according to broadcaster Geo TV and a Reuters witness, a day after Indian strikes at multiple locations in the country and fears of an escalation in conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

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.

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.