India Retaliates After Pakistan’s Coordinated Aerial and Artillery Offensives Along Entire Border

In an alarming escalation late on the night of May 8 and into the early hours of May 9, Pakistan’s military carried out a series of coordinated airspace violations and artillery shelling targeting Indian military and civilian infrastructure across the entire western front — from Leh to Sir Creek. 

In response, India’s Armed Forces mounted precision counterstrikes, targeting four Pakistani air defence (AD) installations, successfully destroying at least one AD radar.

According to a joint briefing by senior defence officials including Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, Pakistan attempted to breach Indian airspace with approximately 300 to 400 drones at 36 different locations, including along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC). The drones were reportedly used to probe India’s air defence systems and gather intelligence. Several were brought down using both kinetic and non-kinetic means.

Forensic investigations are underway on the drone debris, with preliminary findings suggesting that the intruding UAVs were Turkish-origin ASISGUARD SONGAR drones. Further heightening tensions, an armed Pakistani UAV attempted to strike the Bathinda military station but was intercepted and neutralized.

Artillery exchanges were also reported across major sectors of Jammu & Kashmir, including Tangdhar, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor, and Udhampur. Indian retaliation led to significant casualties and damage on the Pakistani side. However, India also suffered personnel losses during the barrage.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a late-night press conference, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “These provocative and escalatory actions that were taken by Pakistan last night were targeted not just at military positions but also at Indian cities and religious sites.”

In a stark accusation, Misri highlighted the targeting of religious sites, including a Gurdwara in Poonch and the Carmelite Nuns Church complex associated with the Christ School. Tragically, two students were killed and their parents injured when a Pakistani shell struck a residential structure near the school. The school’s underground hall served as a refuge for dozens of civilians during the attack.

Responding to queries on Pakistan's denial of the attacks and their disinformation campaign, Misri remarked, “The official and blatantly farcical denial by Pakistan is yet another example of their duplicity. Their claims that India attacked its own cities are absurd and indicative of their desperation.”

Adding another layer to the crisis, Pakistan did not close its civilian airspace during the hostilities. The Indian Air Force (IAF) noted that civil airliners, including a Flynas Airbus A320 flight from Dammam to Lahore, continued to operate over potentially hostile zones, posing a significant risk. The IAF had cleared Indian airspace of all civil aviation in anticipation of escalation.

When asked about the status of the Kartarpur Corridor, Misri confirmed its suspension “until further notice,” citing the current security scenario.

The Foreign Secretary also linked Pakistan’s aggression to India’s recent comments on the Indus Waters Treaty and the IMF bailout negotiations. “The IMF board is meeting today,” Misri said. “We will present our position and express our concerns regarding Pakistan's destabilizing conduct.”

The Minister of External Affairs has held a series of diplomatic engagements following the attacks. He spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. All conversations reportedly emphasized zero tolerance toward terrorism and support for India’s right to self-defence.

Confirming one of the retaliatory strikes, Misri acknowledged the Indian attack on the Jaish-e-Mohammad facility in Bahawalpur — a base connected not only to terrorism in Kashmir but also to global incidents such as the 2002 murder of journalist Daniel Pearl.

“This facility, housing a UN-proscribed terrorist group, was appropriately targeted in light of the group’s legacy of violence, including its link to Pearl’s murder through Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh,” Misri stated.

As tensions remain high, the international community is closely watching the border developments between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, with further updates expected from the Ministry of External Affairs in the coming days.