Sirens, blackouts, and rising cross-border tensions mark Thursday’s escalation after India’s precision Operation Sindoor; Indian officials reaffirm response is controlled and targeted.
Akhnoor (J&K), May 8:
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated further on Thursday as Pakistan targeted the Jammu region with loitering munitions. In response, Indian Air Defence systems fired back decisively. Widespread blackouts were enforced across parts of Jammu Division including Kishtwar and Akhnoor, with warning sirens blaring throughout the area.
The developments come a day after India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precision strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India has reiterated that any attack on military assets will prompt a strong and proportionate reply.
Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized India’s intent to avoid escalation, stating:
“The original escalation was by Pakistan on April 22. Our response has been precise, restrained and aimed only at terrorist camps—not military or civilian targets. Any further escalation from Pakistan, like what we are witnessing today, will be appropriately responded to.”
According to government sources, over 100 terrorists were neutralised in Wednesday’s strikes, which were shared in an all-party meeting earlier in the day.
The Ministry of Defence released a statement confirming that Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on the night of May 7 across a wide swath of Northern and Western India, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, and Bhuj.
India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and air defence units intercepted and neutralised these threats. Debris from the failed attacks is now being recovered to confirm Pakistani involvement.
In a swift retaliatory move, Indian forces launched precision strikes Thursday morning, targeting Pakistani air defence radars and systems, including a confirmed neutralisation in Lahore.
Meanwhile, unprovoked Pakistani shelling continues across the Line of Control (LoC), with mortar and heavy artillery fire reported in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri.
The Defence Ministry confirmed 16 civilian casualties, including five children and three women, due to these attacks.
Reaffirming India’s stance, the statement concluded:
“The Indian Armed Forces remain committed to non-escalation—provided that commitment is reciprocated by the Pakistani military.”