Escalating Tensions: India Moves Towards Islamabad Following Previous Clashes in Lahore and Sialkot
India and Pakistan face off again: Live Updates
In a shocking turn of events, India has retaliated against Pakistan following a series of fresh attacks on Indian soil Thursday night. Indian forces have reportedly struck several cities in Pakistan late Thursday, in response to Pakistan's drone and missile attacks targeting cities like Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. However, official confirmation regarding these attacks is still pending.
Rumors suggest that cities like Islamabad, Karachi port, Lahore, and Sialkot were attacked, but no official confirmation has been given yet. The ongoing tension comes after Pakistan's failed attempts to target Jammu with drones and missiles. India has activated its Integrated Air Defence Systems along the northern and western sectors in response.
Earlier in the evening, 8 Pakistani missiles were reportedly intercepted near Jammu, successfully destroying all of them. The attack caused a temporary blackout at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, and similar power outages were reported in Srinagar under heightened security measures. An F-16 supersonic fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force was also shot down in the evening by an Indian surface-to-air missile defense system.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed, "Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot & Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in J&K today. The threats were swiftly neutralized using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). No casualties or material losses were reported. India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people."
The earlier events on the intervening night of Wednesday (May 7) saw India carry out precision airstrikes, under Operation Sindoor, on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly eliminating around 100 militants. This was India's response to the Pahalgam terror attacks on April 22 that left 26 innocent people dead.
Operation Sindoor marks one of India's most assertive cross-border military responses since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019[2]. Recent developments suggest a continuation of cross-border hostilities, with both sides confirming retaliatory actions. On May 8, 2025, Pakistan reported intercepting multiple drones sent by India, including one near a naval airbase in Lahore[1]. India, in turn, claimed that it neutralized attacks from Pakistan targeting its military installations and responded with strikes on Pakistani air defense radars and systems[1]. The ongoing situation underscores deepening hostilities in the region[1].
[1] https://hudson.org/research/11274-india-pakistan-tensions-escalate[2] https://www.publicaffairsasia.com/india-pakistan-relationship-future-balance-between-cooperation-and-competition/
- The latest round of war-and-conflicts between India and Pakistan continues to unfold, with Pakistan experiencing airstrikes from Indian forces in response to its drone and missile attacks earlier this week.
- In the past, integrated air defense systems have been activated by India in response to escalating tensions with Pakistan, as seen in the recent incidents.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between the two nations have also affected general news, with reports of crime-and-justice, sports, and power outages being affected in several cities in Pakistan and India.
- During the intervening night of May 7, 2025, India conducted precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, marking one of its most assertive cross-border military responses since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019.
- Despite the tension, both India and Pakistan have continued to engage in politics, with each side confirming retaliatory actions, pointing to a potential continuation of the ongoing hostilities.
