India and Pakistan exchanged missile and drone strikes during the night of 9–10 May in the most serious escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in years. Both sides accuse the other of initiating hostilities, and the situation along the shared border remains volatile.
The confrontation began overnight when Indian forces launched missile strikes on multiple Pakistani military installations, including airbases near Rawalpindi. Islamabad responded in the early hours of Saturday morning with what it described as a “defensive, proportionate response”, targeting Indian airbases and a reported missile storage site.
In a press conference held shortly after dawn, Indian defence spokeswoman Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed damage and injuries at airbases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda. She said that Pakistani forces had employed drones, loitering munitions, long-range weapons, and fighter aircraft to hit more than 26 Indian military positions during the night.
Pakistan claimed the strikes were in retaliation for Indian attacks carried out earlier in the night. Senator Sherry Rehman stated that Indian missiles had targeted Pakistani military facilities “without provocation”, including the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi. She added that Pakistan’s response was aimed solely at military objectives and did not target civilian areas.
Indian authorities maintain that their initial strikes were in response to last month’s deadly attack on Hindu pilgrims in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi alleges was supported by Pakistan. Islamabad denies any involvement in that incident.
Explosions were reported across both countries throughout the night. In Rawalpindi, residents described being jolted awake by loud blasts near the Nur Khan airbase. “It was terrifying,” said Muhammad Saleem, a local resident. “I saw something flying overhead, then a loud explosion followed by smoke.” Similar scenes were reported in the border city of Sialkot.
In Jammu and Srinagar, missile debris and explosions were also recorded overnight. A missile landed in Srinagar’s Dal Lake, and Indian forces established temporary checkpoints near the city’s airport by morning. Indian air defence systems were seen in operation above Jammu, engaging multiple aerial targets.
At least one senior Indian official was killed during the night. Raj Kumar Thappa, the Additional District Development Commissioner for Rajouri in Indian-administered Kashmir, died when a shell struck his residence shortly after midnight. Shelling continued in the region into the early morning.
Meanwhile, Pakistan announced it had launched “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos” in response to the strikes, describing it as a show of strength. The operation, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, is aimed at “fortified defence” and resilience in the face of aggression.
Pakistan’s military also claimed to have conducted a large-scale cyberattack disabling up to 70 per cent of India’s power grid during the night. Though the claim could not be independently verified, widespread power outages have been reported in parts of northern India. India has dismissed the report as “misinformation”.
New Delhi confirmed that it has activated 14 Territorial Army battalions and granted emergency powers to its Chief of Army Staff. The government said troop deployments along the western frontier were being reinforced as a precaution.
Pakistan, in turn, has closed its airspace to all traffic — commercial, cargo, and private — until midday Sunday. Troop movements towards forward positions have been confirmed by Indian officials, who interpret the posture as offensive.
India’s defence establishment said it remains committed to avoiding further escalation. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated that India’s actions were limited and targeted and that further restraint by Pakistan would be met with the same. She rejected Pakistan’s claims of having destroyed key Indian military systems and labelled them “false and malicious”.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, however, defended the night-time strikes. He said India had “tested Pakistan’s patience to its limits” and that Islamabad’s response was carefully calibrated. Speaking to Geo News, Dar claimed the operation was necessary to demonstrate resolve and accused India of a campaign of misinformation and covert attacks.
Dar said he had informed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the strikes shortly after they were carried out and offered the prospect of de-escalation if India refrains from further attacks.
The United States, China, and the G7 have all called for restraint. Rubio offered U.S. assistance in initiating dialogue, while Beijing urged both sides to prioritise stability and resolve differences through diplomatic means. The G7 warned that continued military action posed a significant threat to regional stability and urged both countries to return to direct talks.
As of Saturday morning, the situation remains tense. Air raids, troop mobilisation, and retaliatory cyber and drone attacks overnight have brought the subcontinent to the brink of broader conflict. Civilians in affected areas are evacuating, while both governments have placed their armed forces on the highest alert. The prospect of further escalation remains high unless a ceasefire or diplomatic intervention is achieved in the coming hours.
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