Srinagar Under Siege: India Retaliates After Pakistan Launches Fighter and Drone Attacks, MEA to Address Nation

India Strikes Back as Pakistan Launches Air and Drone Attacks: Operation Sindoor Escalates Tensions Across Borders

Background: From Pahalgam Attack to Full-Scale Military Confrontation

The latest escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan traces its roots to the devastating Pahalgam attack in April 2025, which claimed the lives of 27 people, including 25 Hindu tourists, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim in Jammu and Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility, but India swiftly pointed to Pakistan-based terror groups, citing “credible intelligence” linking the attack to militants operating from Pakistani soil.

In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, targeting what it described as terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian Air Force jets, including Rafales armed with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer glide bombs, struck multiple sites in a coordinated 23-minute operation. The Indian government claimed significant militant casualties, while Pakistan vowed retaliation, setting the stage for a rapid military escalation.

Timeline of Escalation: Drone Strikes, Shelling, and Civilian Casualties

• May 8-9: Pakistan responded with heavy artillery shelling across the Line of Control (LoC), targeting both military and civilian areas. The Indian side reported at least 15 civilian deaths and dozens injured in the aftermath.
• May 9 Night: Pakistani forces intensified attacks, launching coordinated drone and missile strikes at 26 locations across India, spanning from Jammu & Kashmir to Gujarat. Indian air defence systems intercepted many of these aerial threats, but not all attacks were thwarted.
• May 10 Early Morning: Pakistan Air Force jets raided Srinagar, prompting a swift and “effective” retaliation by Indian armed forces. Explosions were reported near Srinagar airport, Samba, Jammu city, Baramulla, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Barmer, with widespread blackouts in border areas.

Key Developments: Civilian Toll and Military Maneuvers

• Rajouri Tragedy: The Additional District Commissioner of Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thappa, and two other civilians were killed when Pakistani shelling struck the DC colony in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. Visuals from the site revealed extensive destruction, with local leaders expressing condolences.
• Drone Threats Neutralized: Indian Army air defence units destroyed multiple armed drones over Amritsar and other border regions. In Ferozepur, debris from a downed Pakistani drone injured three civilians, underscoring the growing risk to non-combatants.
• Pakistan’s Claims and Indian Denials: Pakistan’s military asserted that Indian missiles targeted three of its airbases-Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot-near Islamabad and other strategic locations. India dismissed Pakistani claims of destroying its S-400 missile systems as “false,” maintaining that its defences remain robust.
• Airport Closures and Blackouts: Thirty-two airports across northern and western India, including Srinagar and Amritsar, were closed for civilian operations until May 15, reflecting the high-alert status and ongoing military conflict.

Government and Diplomatic Responses

• MEA and MOD Briefings: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) scheduled a press briefing to address the nation on the latest developments, with officials emphasizing India’s “proportional and adequate” response to Pakistani aggression.
• High-Level Security Meetings: Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened meetings with senior security officials, including the National Security Advisor and heads of the BSF and CISF, to review border and airport security.
• International Calls for Restraint: Global powers, including the United States and China, have urged both nations to de-escalate. The White House reiterated its plea for calm, while Pakistan summoned its top nuclear body in response to the intensifying conflict.

On the Ground: Widespread Fear and Disruption

Residents across Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab reported sleepless nights amid explosions, sirens, and blackouts. In Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple, sirens blared for hours, forcing people indoors. Mosque loudspeakers in Srinagar urged locals to switch off lights as a precaution. In Ferozepur and Uri, civilians suffered injuries and property damage from shelling and drone debris, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.

What’s Next? The Path Ahead Nagarjuna Song Sung

As Operation Sindoor continues, both sides remain on high alert, with military assets mobilized and airspace restrictions in place. The Indian government has reiterated its resolve to “thwart enemy designs,” while Pakistan has warned of further retaliation. With international concern mounting, the region stands at a critical juncture, as any miscalculation could risk a broader conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

India Prime Times will continue to provide verified updates as the situation develops, with special coverage on the impact of Operation Sindoor, civilian safety measures, and diplomatic efforts to restore peace in the region.