Explosions, blackouts and drones: Inside the overnight air clash between India and Pakistan  

On May 7 and May 8, Indian Air Force and Army units successfully intercepted and neutralised a wave of drones and missiles launched by the Pakistani military targeting multiple cities across northern and western India. The coordinated cross-border aerial assault, which included UAVs and precision-strike missiles, was aimed at strategic and civilian locations including Jammu airport, Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, and Chandigarh. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the activation of India’s S-400 and Akash air defence systems, which thwarted the attack with no casualties reported. 

This latest incident unfolded shortly after India executed air strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. Officials clarified that Indian strikes were confined strictly to terrorist camps and avoided targeting any Pakistani military installations. Pakistan’s retaliatory strike, however, marked a significant escalation, with its drones and missiles directed at both defence and civilian targets. 

Where Were the Attacks Concentrated and What Was India’s Response? 

According to sources in India’s defence establishment, the Pakistani military attempted to strike over a dozen locations including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. The attack began with a drone explosion near Jammu airport around midnight, which triggered immediate response protocols including power shutdowns, air raid sirens, and activation of India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS). 

Officials reported that Pakistani drones were intercepted across Jammu at RS Pura and Rajouri, with at least six explosions heard throughout the region. One large blast was recorded along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. Simultaneously, Indian radar identified two Pakistani F-16 jets taking off from Sargodha; Indian air assets were scrambled, and one of the aircraft was reportedly neutralised in aerial engagement. 

The defence ministry stated that India had earlier that morning conducted retaliatory precision strikes on Pakistani air defence radars, including one located in Lahore, which was confirmed neutralised. A spokesperson said, “Today morning, Indian Armed Forces targeted air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an air defence system at Lahore has been neutralised.” 

Why Is the Jammu Airport Attack Significant? 

Jammu airport, which serves both civilian flights and Indian Air Force operations, became a focal point during the overnight assault. Defence officials described the attempt to target this installation as a direct provocation. The use of low-flying drones and missiles aimed at densely populated regions suggests a shift in Pakistan’s operational tactics toward asymmetric aerial warfare. 

The precision and swiftness of India’s interception demonstrated the capability and readiness of its layered air defence apparatus. Officials emphasised that the S-400 missile shield was instrumental in thwarting longer-range missile threats, while the Akash system and C-UAS units provided short-range protection from low-visibility drone swarms. 

The government’s emergency response extended beyond military action. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges were ordered shut across border districts in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Blackouts were imposed in select areas to reduce visibility for incoming UAVs. 

How Did India Justify Its Earlier Operation Sindoor Strikes? 

Indian strikes under Operation Sindoor were described by the government as calibrated precision operations targeting nine non-military terror infrastructure hubs inside Pakistan and PoK. Officials reiterated that the targets included launchpads, logistics hubs, and command nodes used by terror groups active along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). 

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier clarified that no Pakistani military assets were targeted. According to defence analysts, India’s careful target selection indicated an effort to avoid escalation while sending a clear deterrent signal following the April Pahalgam terror attack, which killed multiple civilians. 

Despite this calibrated posture, Pakistan’s decision to retaliate by targeting civilian population centers and dual-use infrastructure has led to international concern about the possibility of broader conflict. 

What Was the International Reaction? 

Following the escalation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. According to Indian government sources, Jaishankar conveyed India’s firm stance on countering terror threats and reiterated that any attempts at destabilisation would be met with resolute action. 

There was no immediate official response from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces continued along the LoC and the IB on May 8, further aggravating the security situation in frontier regions. 

International diplomatic circles are now watching the situation closely. Several governments have issued advisories to avoid travel near the LoC, while diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Islamabad have increased engagement with host governments to monitor the unfolding crisis. 

What Does This Mean for the Future of India-Pakistan Relations? 

This latest exchange marks one of the most serious escalations since the 2019 Balakot air strikes. At that time, India had launched air raids targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp deep inside Pakistani territory in response to the Pulwama suicide bombing. The current episode bears some resemblance, but differs in that India’s initial strikes under Operation Sindoor were strictly limited to terror-linked infrastructure and were not aimed at triggering a broader military conflict. 

Pakistan’s launch of drones and missiles, targeting cities such as Jammu, Amritsar and Ludhiana, has introduced a new level of volatility. Strategic experts suggest this retaliation may have been aimed at testing India’s air defence capabilities or as a messaging move domestically amid growing pressure within the Pakistani military and political establishment. 

In India, the public and political response has been overwhelmingly supportive of the armed forces. State governments have placed border districts on high alert, and central agencies remain on watch for any further escalation. 

What Happens Next? 

As of May 9, the situation remains tense but under control. Air defence systems remain on standby across multiple forward bases, and India has increased aerial surveillance using airborne early warning systems (AWACS) and combat air patrols (CAPs). Intelligence agencies are reportedly monitoring Pakistani military airbases, fuel depots, and known drone launch corridors along the LoC. 

The Indian government has reiterated its position that it does not seek escalation but will act with full force to defend national security. There are indications that India may take its case to global forums, highlighting Pakistan’s use of aerial weapons against civilian targets. 

From a military readiness perspective, the Indian Armed Forces have demonstrated strong deterrence capabilities through rapid deployment and effective countermeasures. The question now shifts to whether Pakistan continues with kinetic responses or opts for diplomatic backchannel discussions under international pressure.