New Delhi, India – Could 9, 2025
A big escalation in India-Pakistan tensions has led to widespread drone and missile assaults by Pakistan focusing on a number of Indian states, together with Jammu and Kashmir (J&Okay), Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, on the night time of Could 7-8, 2025. The assaults, involving 300-400 Turkish Asisguard Songar drones and Hamas-style missiles, prompted blackouts, air raid sirens, and heightened safety measures throughout northern and western India. India’s superior air protection techniques, together with the S-400, neutralized the threats, with no vital losses reported, although civilian accidents occurred. Right here’s a complete overview based mostly on the newest reviews.
Timeline and Context
- Set off: The battle stems from the April 22, 2025, terror assault in Pahalgam, J&Okay, which killed 26 civilians, principally Hindu vacationers, and was attributed to Pakistan-based militants. On Could 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, placing 9 terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), reportedly killing 100 terrorists.
- Pakistan’s Retaliation: On Could 7-8, Pakistan responded with drone and missile assaults focusing on 15 navy and civilian websites throughout J&Okay, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, described as a “Hamas-style” assault by Indian protection sources.
- Present Standing: As of Could 9, 2025, Indian forces have neutralized over 50 drones, intercepted eight missiles, and shot down a Pakistani F-16 close to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Blackouts and heightened safety persist in border areas.
Key Incidents
- Drone and Missile Assaults:
- Jammu and Kashmir: Drones focused Jammu metropolis, Udhampur, Samba, Akhnoor, Rajouri, Poonch, and Awantipora, together with Jammu Civil Airport and Jammu College. Explosions have been heard, and crimson streaks illuminated the sky as India’s air protection intercepted threats. Two drones have been shot down close to Jammu College.
- Punjab: Assaults hit Pathankot, Ferozepur, Amritsar, and different districts. In Ferozepur, a drone assault injured three civilians, together with a lady with extreme burns, who’re below remedy.
- Rajasthan: Drones have been detected in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Pokhran, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Phalodi, with one intercepted close to Pokhran, a nuclear check web site.
- Gujarat: Drones focused Bhuj and villages in Patan’s Santalpur taluka, with blackouts enforced as a precaution.
- Different Areas: Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, and Attari in Punjab reported drone sightings and interceptions.
- Blackouts and Sirens:
- J&Okay: Full blackouts have been enforced in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kishtwar, and the complete Kashmir Valley, together with Srinagar, to facilitate air protection operations. Air raid sirens echoed, prompting residents to hunt shelter.
- Punjab: Blackouts hit Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Chandigarh. Energy was restored in Pathankot by Could 9.
- Rajasthan: Blackouts have been imposed in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar, and Phalodi.
- Gujarat: Villages in Patan and different border areas noticed blackouts.
- Himachal Pradesh: Border areas like Nurpur and Indora have been on excessive alert, with blackout directions issued. An IPL match in Dharamshala was canceled because of safety considerations.
- Indian Response:
- India’s S-400 air protection system and Built-in Counter-UAS Grid neutralized threats throughout 1,800 km of airspace, from Awantipora to Bhuj, utilizing sign jamming, GPS spoofing, and kinetic interceptors.
- The Indian Air Pressure shot down a Pakistani F-16 close to Lathi, Jaisalmer, and intercepted eight missiles focusing on Jammu airport, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia.
- The Border Safety Pressure (BSF) foiled an infiltration try in Samba, and the Indian Navy initiated a retaliatory operation. Over 2,400 paramilitary personnel have been deployed to bolster J&Okay’s border safety.
- Civilian Influence:
- In J&Okay, three folks have been injured in Uri because of shelling, and a soldier, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar Sharma, was killed in Poonch.
- In Punjab’s Ferozepur, three civilians sustained burn accidents from a drone assault.
- Residents in Rajouri started relocating to safer areas, and colleges in affected areas have been closed.
Official Statements
- Indian Authorities:
- Colonel Sofia Qureshi recognized the drones as Turkish Asisguard Songar fashions, suggesting Pakistan’s intent to check India’s air defenses.
- J&Okay Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in Jammu to evaluate the scenario, urged residents to remain indoors and keep away from rumors, sharing a picture of the blackout on X.
- Former J&Okay DGP Shesh Paul Vaid reassured residents, stating, “Mata Vishnu Devi is with us, and so are valiant Indian Armed Forces.”
- Rajasthan Residence Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham and CM Bhajanlal Sharma confirmed the military’s efficient response in Jaisalmer and different border areas.
- Pakistan’s Claims: Pakistan alleged Indian drones killed two civilians and wounded 4 troopers, claims India denied, accusing Pakistan of focusing on civilian areas.
Broader Implications
- Airport Closures: Twenty-four airports, together with Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaisalmer, and Bhuj, will stay closed till Could 15, 2025, disrupting air journey. IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have provided charge waivers for cancellations.
- Financial Influence: The battle triggered a ₹7 lakh crore loss in investor wealth over two days, with tourism in Kashmir closely affected.
- Worldwide Response: The U.S., UK, France, Russia, and China urged restraint, whereas the UN referred to as for dialogue. Pakistan’s ambassador to the U.S. confirmed NSA-level contacts between the nations.
Public Sentiment
X posts replicate heightened stress and nationwide resolve:
- @ANI shared visuals of crimson streaks and explosions in Samba, Rajouri, Nagrota, and Akhnoor as Indian defenses intercepted drones.
- Locals expressed belief within the Indian Military, with one stating, “We aren’t scared…Our forces are giving Pakistan a befitting reply.”
- @OmarAbdullah’s submit on the Jammu blackout and sirens underscored the disaster’s severity.
What’s Subsequent?
Indian forces stay on excessive alert, with safety tightened round key websites like India Gate. A joint press convention by the Ministry of Exterior Affairs and safety officers, together with Overseas Secretary Vikram Misri, is ongoing. Residents in border areas are suggested to remain indoors, swap off lights throughout blackouts, and keep away from pointless journey. The scenario stays fluid, with potential for additional escalation as each nations trade accusations.
For updates, go to Hindustan Times, India Today, or observe @ANI and @OmarAbdullah on X.