Sources indicate that at least four airbases within Pakistan were reportedly struck by Indian forces in the early hours of Saturday, escalating the existing tensions between the two nations.
These Indian retaliatory actions purportedly occurred immediately after Pakistan allegedly targeted 26 locations across India on the same Saturday, according to sources cited by ANI. The report further suggests that intermittent firing is ongoing in various areas along the Line of Control (LoC).
In a statement released by the Ministry of Defence, it was stated that “Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces. The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential.”
Reports from Jammu and Kashmir detailed incidents including smoke rising after a significant explosion in the Dibber area of Udhampur, and damage to houses and property in the Rajouri region following multiple explosions. Loud blasts were also reported in Rajouri and Akhnoor.
In Punjab, a drone-related explosion reportedly damaged a house in Kanganiwal village, situated in rural Jalandhar.
Surjeet Kaur, a resident of the area, recounted the incident, stating, “A red coloured flash came above our house and there was a huge explosion. We got scared. Everything was dark. We came out of our houses after a short while and saw that the water tank above our houses and our neighbours’ houses had exploded. There was a blackout at that time, and all the lights were off.”
The events of Saturday followed a day of heightened aerial activity, where Indian air defenses reportedly thwarted an attempt by Pakistan to target civilian infrastructure along the LoC and the International Border. Pakistani drones were also reportedly sighted in the Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot sectors on Friday.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that on the night of May 7–8, Indian forces successfully countered a large-scale drone and missile attack allegedly launched by Pakistan, which aimed at several Indian military bases in the northern and western regions. During these operations, an air defense system in Lahore was also reportedly neutralized.
The current escalation is presented as a sequence of actions and reactions, beginning with the Pahalgam terror attack, which India attributed to Pakistan, leading to Indian precision strikes on alleged terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The recent alleged actions by Pakistan and the subsequent Indian response represent a further intensification of the ongoing tensions.
