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 16 drones Thursday, while India said it targeted an air defense system in Lahore.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors have soared since gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Indian Hindu tourists, in India-controlled Kashmir last month.