NEW DELHI — Tensions between India and Pakistan sharply escalated on Thursday after India launched a series of retaliatory strikes against key military targets in Pakistan. The counter-offensive followed multiple attempts by Pakistan to strike Indian military installations and civilian areas using missiles and drones in the early hours and again later in the night.
According to a senior military officer, “Operation Sindoor is fully underway. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir will not be offered a face-saving exit.” Indian strikes, including forward deployment of naval assets in the northern Arabian Sea, were reported to be ongoing late into the night. The ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) has effectively collapsed.
In the midst of the conflict, unconfirmed reports suggested that two Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets and one F-16 may have been shot down. There were also claims that the Indian Air Force (IAF) targeted Islamabad, though no official confirmation has been provided.
In its response, the IAF deployed Harop and Harpy kamikaze drones of Israeli origin, which are designed to loiter over targets and strike by self-destructing, effectively functioning like cruise missiles. These were launched shortly after Pakistan initiated a barrage of attacks on 15 Indian military locations across northern and western India at approximately 1 a.m.
Pakistan’s attacks resumed after nightfall, targeting military bases and civilian infrastructure in areas including Jaisalmer, Amritsar, Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, Samba, and Arnia. In Jammu city, panic ensued after explosions occurred near the heavily guarded airport. Indian military sources confirmed that all threats were neutralized using both kinetic weapons and non-kinetic tools like electronic jamming, and no Indian casualties were reported.
India Hits Back Hard
India’s retaliatory operations targeted a variety of Pakistani military assets. One major success was the destruction of a Chinese-made HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system and associated radar installations in Lahore. Additional strikes were reported in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Khenju in Sindh, Attock, Miano, Bahawalpur, and areas near Karachi.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan had launched its own strikes at Indian military positions, including air bases in Awantipura, Srinagar, and Uttarlai, and army units in Jammu, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, and Chandigarh. However, India’s multi-tiered air defense network, led by the advanced Russian-origin S-400 Triumf system, successfully intercepted and neutralized these attacks.
Official Statements from Indian Leaders
Speaking after the events, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized India’s commitment to peace but warned against interpreting restraint as weakness. “India has always acted with responsibility and sought dialogue. But if restraint is mistaken for vulnerability, then appropriate and decisive action will follow, as seen yesterday,” he said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri echoed the sentiment, citing the recent Pahalgam terror massacre as the initial act of escalation. “India’s response is measured, precise, and non-escalatory. We are not seeking to escalate tensions, but we are compelled to respond proportionately to Pakistan’s actions,” he stated.
Misri also added that any further aggression from Pakistan would be considered an escalation and would be met with a suitable response.
Briefing from Indian Armed Forces
At a media briefing, Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh clarified that Operation Sindoor, conducted on Wednesday, had specifically targeted nine known terror hubs in Pakistan without striking any military installations.
“We had made it clear that the operation was aimed solely at terror infrastructure. However, Pakistan’s decision to launch attacks on Indian military bases changed the nature of this conflict,” said Wing Commander Singh.
He further added that India’s response on Thursday was matched in scale and intent, targeting military assets in retaliation for attacks on its own.
Ceasefire Breach and Civilian Casualties
The Line of Control has seen a surge in shelling and firing from the Pakistani side, with heavy mortars and artillery being used in areas such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri. At least 16 civilians, including three women and five children, have been killed in the cross-border fire.
Col. Qureshi stated that India was forced to respond with artillery of its own to silence Pakistani positions and prevent further loss of life. She reiterated India’s commitment to avoiding further escalation, provided there is reciprocal restraint from Pakistan’s side.
Conclusion
The situation along the India-Pakistan border remains volatile, with both nations trading accusations and retaliatory actions. While India maintains that its operations are targeted, measured, and defensive in nature, Pakistan’s increasing use of military force, including attacks on civilian areas, marks a dangerous escalation. As international observers monitor the unfolding crisis, the Indian government has reaffirmed its stance on non-escalation—conditional on Pakistani restraint.
