Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following a wave of cross-border attacks, prompting India to initiate targeted military operations in the Arabian Sea, NDTV reported citing government sources.
The recent conflict surge began after Pakistan launched missile strikes aimed at Jammu and Kashmir and drone attacks targeting Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on Thursday. India’s advanced air defence systems successfully intercepted all incoming threats, preventing casualties and damage. Loud explosions were reported in Jammu late Thursday and into early Friday, with missiles aimed at key locations including RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, and Hiranagar. Pakistani shelling in Pathankot and further drone attempts in Jaisalmer were also thwarted.
As a security measure, authorities enforced precautionary blackouts in cities like Chandigarh, Mohali, and Srinagar amid fears of additional strikes.
The escalation comes in the wake of India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on Wednesday. This strategic offensive targeted terror infrastructure inside Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack last month, which killed 26 civilians. Indian forces struck nine locations linked to terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, including their headquarters in Muridke and Bahawalpur.
India’s air operations reportedly extended to the destruction of a key Pakistani air defence unit in Lahore earlier on Thursday.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that India’s military response was “precise and restrained,” focused solely on non-civilian targets to avoid unnecessary collateral damage. Misri held Pakistan accountable for initiating the latest round of hostilities by supporting cross-border terrorism and carrying out provocative attacks.
Despite the intensity of the conflict, diplomatic efforts are expected to continue behind the scenes as both nations face mounting international pressure to de-escalate.
