India strikes Nur Khan and key Pakistani airbases as Operation Sindoor escalates into night-time offensive

What Happened at Pakistan’s Airbases on the Night of May 9?

A significant escalation in the India-Pakistan conflict unfolded late on May 9 and into the early hours of May 10, as India reportedly struck multiple Pakistani airbases, including the strategically crucial Nur Khan airbase located near Rawalpindi. According to early intelligence assessments and defence sources, surface-to-air missiles launched by India also targeted the Murid and Shorkot airbases, leading to multiple explosions being heard across these facilities. The Pakistan Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) confirmed the targeting of its airbases, though full damage assessments remain undisclosed.

These missile strikes by India appear to be a direct retaliatory response to Pakistan’s renewed drone offensive earlier that night. For the third night in a row, Pakistani drones and missiles attempted to breach Indian airspace, targeting sensitive military zones across the Jammu region. Indian air defence systems were immediately activated and successfully intercepted the incoming swarm.

Why Did India Target Nur Khan, Murid and Shorkot Airbases?

India’s targeting of Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot appears to be part of a calibrated escalation under the broader framework of Operation Sindoor. Nur Khan Airbase, located adjacent to the Pakistani capital Islamabad and near the headquarters of Pakistan’s military command, is considered a high-value target. The selection of these bases for retaliatory action signals India’s intent to not just defend its airspace but to impose strategic costs on Pakistan’s aerial capabilities.

The airstrike marks a shift from purely defensive interception of drone attacks to targeted offensive retaliation. This tactical recalibration is consistent with India’s current doctrine of pre-emptive and punitive counter-terror and anti-military strikes, particularly when dealing with cross-border provocations involving unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

How Did India Respond to Pakistan’s Drone Swarm?

On the night of May 9, Pakistan launched a fresh wave of drones aimed at military installations and civilian areas across Jammu and Kashmir. Indian air defence systems detected the intrusion and neutralised drones across multiple districts, including Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur. Air raid sirens were activated and a complete blackout was imposed across these districts as a precautionary measure.

In anticipation of potential retaliatory strikes, Pakistan shut down its airspace until 12 noon on May 10. The sudden decision to restrict civilian and military aviation points to concerns over airspace vulnerability, particularly near key strategic infrastructure.

Indian authorities have confirmed that air defence protocols have now been integrated with high-altitude surveillance and drone-jamming technologies to neutralise swarm-based attacks more effectively. Local governments in the affected districts imposed temporary curfews and reinforced public advisories, urging civilians to remain indoors.

Where Were Pakistani Drones Sighted on May 9?

Reports from Indian defence officials revealed that Pakistani drones were detected at over 26 locations on the night of May 9. The aerial intrusions stretched across both the International Border and the Line of Control. Northern locations included Baramulla, Srinagar, and Avantipora, while drones were also seen in border districts such as Nagrota, Pathankot, Fazilka, Ferozpur, and Jammu. Western regions like Bhuj, Barmer, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan also reported sightings, indicating a wide dispersal strategy likely aimed at saturating India’s defensive grid.

The air force’s radar installations and drone-response units successfully coordinated with ground intelligence to thwart most of the threats, although the density of incursions suggests a large-scale aerial operation launched from Pakistan’s territory.

What Was the Impact on Civilians?

One of the drones launched by Pakistan reportedly targeted a civilian settlement in the Ferozpur region. The attack injured at least three individuals, who were promptly moved to medical facilities for treatment. The Indian Armed Forces later sanitised the impacted zone to ensure no unexploded ordnance or additional threats remained.

Such attacks on non-military zones represent a serious violation of international wartime norms and raise concerns about the broader implications of escalating drone warfare between two nuclear-armed neighbours. Indian defence officials emphasised that all counter-drone actions are being taken with a view to minimizing collateral damage and civilian harm.

What Was Discussed in PM Modi’s May 9 Security Meeting?

Earlier on May 9 evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level national security meeting to assess the situation following the previous drone attacks and develop a coordinated response. Present at the meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

The meeting focused on reviewing India’s readiness posture, assessing air defence efficacy, and finalising retaliatory options. Officials were also briefed on the trajectory, payload analysis, and origin tracking of the drones—believed to be Turkish-manufactured systems operated by Pakistan’s military intelligence.

This meeting came just 24 hours after Pakistan attempted to breach Indian airspace using between 300 to 400 drones in a highly coordinated nighttime swarm. India’s ability to intercept such a large volume without major casualties or infrastructure damage was presented as a key operational success during the briefing.

What Is the Strategic Outlook for Operation Sindoor?

India’s Operation Sindoor has transitioned from a defensive posture to a targeted strategic offensive. The inclusion of airbase strikes indicates a more proactive effort to degrade Pakistan’s strike capabilities. By directly hitting Nur Khan and other major military hubs, India is sending a signal that it will not limit itself to intercepting threats but will also disable the launch points.

Military analysts have pointed out that India’s shift in rules of engagement may also be aimed at deterring future drone offensives by creating a cost matrix that outweighs potential gains for Pakistan. Additionally, the escalation coincides with ongoing intelligence suggesting Pakistan may seek to internationalise the conflict, which Indian officials appear determined to pre-empt through fast, localised, and retaliatory responses.

As India’s military posture remains on high alert and civilian advisories are in effect across northern states, further retaliatory operations cannot be ruled out. The situation continues to evolve by the hour, with both nations locked in one of the most intense periods of cross-border hostilities in recent years.