India-Pakistan war escalates: Indian forces hit four Pakistan army bases in precision strikes

In a sharp military escalation, the Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on four Pakistan Army bases, targeting key military infrastructure and suspected infiltration routes, following a series of drone and missile attacks launched by Pakistan on May 8, 2025. The targeted operations, which were confirmed by Indian defence authorities on May 9, were described as a calibrated and high-impact retaliatory action in response to cross-border aggression, marking a significant intensification in hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

The Indian Army’s statement, issued by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, stated that India’s retaliatory action was “befitting” and involved the use of high-precision guided weapon systems. The operations were reportedly focused on eliminating forward Pakistani military installations used for launching drone sorties and facilitating terrorist infiltration into Indian territory.

What Prompted India’s Military Response Against Pakistan?

The trigger for India’s multi-front strikes came after Pakistani forces initiated a coordinated offensive on the night of May 8 and into the early hours of May 9, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and munitions across the entire Western border. According to the Indian Army, multiple drones, some weaponised, were launched by Pakistan and targeted both military and civilian establishments in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Army confirmed that it successfully intercepted and neutralised over 50 drones aimed at sensitive installations. These hostile UAVs were launched in conjunction with widespread ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control (LoC), marking the most significant cross-border escalation since the Balakot airstrikes of 2019.

“The Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border on the intervening night of May 8 and 9. Pakistani troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Indian Army said, confirming the scope of the Pakistani offensive.

Which Pakistani Military Targets Did India Strike?

Military sources have disclosed that the Indian Air Force, supported by elements of the Indian Army’s artillery and missile regiments, struck at least four Pakistani Army establishments located in key strategic zones across the Sindh and Punjab provinces. The bases targeted were reportedly linked to drone launch platforms, cross-border firing positions, and terrorist training infrastructure.

Indian military insiders stated that infiltration routes, frequently used by Pakistan-based terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), were also targeted and rendered inoperative. The offensive included ground-launched stand-off weapons and air-launched long-range precision missiles designed to inflict maximum infrastructural damage while minimising collateral casualties.

The destruction of these Pakistani posts has reportedly triggered widespread panic across approximately 30 cantonments, leading to a heightened security posture within Pakistan-administered military zones. Reports from local Pakistani media and intercepted communications suggest mass evacuation drills and reinforcement of air defence coverage at key installations.

How Did India Neutralise the Drone Threat?

India’s rapid and effective response to the drone incursions has drawn significant attention within global security circles. Sources in the Ministry of Defence noted that the Armed Forces deployed a multi-tiered air defence grid involving radar-guided guns, indigenous counter-drone systems, and Israeli-supplied anti-drone laser weapons to neutralise incoming UAV threats.

According to Indian Army officials, more than 50 drones—many carrying explosives—were intercepted before they could cause any damage. Several were shot down by mobile air defence units, while others were jammed or electronically disabled mid-air. The intercepted drones reportedly bore markings linked to Pakistan’s military drone program, lending further credence to India’s assertions of state-sponsored aggression.

What Happened at the International Border in Samba?

Parallel to the military engagement along the LoC, a major infiltration attempt was foiled by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the International Border (IB) in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 9 when BSF surveillance systems detected movement from across the border near the Dhandhar post.

According to official BSF reports, a group of heavily armed terrorists attempted to breach the border under the cover of machine gun fire from Pakistani Rangers. Alert BSF personnel engaged the infiltrators in a firefight that lasted nearly an hour. Seven terrorists were killed in the encounter, and their weapons and supplies were recovered.

The BSF also confirmed that the Pakistani firing position providing cover for the attempted infiltration sustained severe damage due to retaliatory fire. High-resolution thermal imagery and ground surveillance indicate that the post was rendered non-operational.

How Has the Regional Security Situation Changed?

India’s strikes have significantly altered the security equation in the region. The dual-front response—comprising precision air and artillery strikes coupled with strong ground defence and counter-infiltration measures—demonstrates a doctrine shift from reactive posturing to preemptive and targeted retaliation.

Military analysts have noted that the scale and coordination of the Indian response indicate pre-planned contingency measures that were activated once the threshold of Pakistan’s provocations was crossed. The retaliation also appears to be aimed at imposing tangible costs on the Pakistani military establishment for the use of non-conventional threats such as drones and proxy terror infiltration.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has yet to issue a formal response, though unofficial reports from Islamabad suggest heightened alert levels at airbases and along the LoC. Local civilian populations in border towns of Sindh and Punjab have reportedly been moved to underground shelters in anticipation of further escalations.

What Is the Broader Strategic Implication of These Developments?

The military developments underscore a significant deterioration in India-Pakistan relations and could potentially invite global concern over stability in South Asia. Given the precedent set by Balakot and surgical strikes in 2016, India’s decision to strike military infrastructure inside Pakistan is consistent with its current doctrine of retaliatory precision engagements under a “zero-tolerance” approach to terror-sponsoring activities.

The deployment of drones in large numbers by Pakistan, along with cross-border ceasefire violations and support to infiltration attempts, is seen by Indian strategic planners as an escalation beyond routine CFVs. The Indian government’s swift and public acknowledgment of its retaliatory measures is intended to send a clear signal to adversaries and international observers.

New Delhi is likely to raise the issue in international forums, including the United Nations, while reinforcing its domestic posture of national security first. The incident may also reignite the policy debate around surveillance infrastructure, drone warfare, and hardening of civilian and military targets against asymmetrical threats.

What Comes Next in the India-Pakistan Standoff?

The evolving situation will likely hinge on Pakistan’s military and diplomatic response. As of the evening of May 9, there is no confirmation of retaliatory strikes from Pakistan. However, the Pakistani military’s conventional and nuclear posture remains under close observation by Indian intelligence agencies.

India’s defence apparatus is reportedly in a state of enhanced operational readiness, with all three services—Army, Air Force, and Navy—coordinating through integrated theatre commands. Air surveillance remains heightened, and civil aviation routes over several northern states remain under temporary restrictions.

Analysts expect that India’s leadership may also initiate diplomatic outreach with key allies, including the United States, France, and Russia, to present its case of legitimate defensive action under sustained provocation. The focus in New Delhi remains on securing borders, hardening military assets, and maintaining pressure on Pakistan’s conventional and unconventional war-making capabilities.