In a significant escalation along the Line of Control and beyond, Pakistan launched a series of drone and missile attacks on key Indian military installations during the night of May 7–8, targeting regions including Srinagar, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Bhuj, and more. These strikes marked a notable departure from past hostilities, crossing into deeper territory and posing a direct threat to national security.
India responded with swift precision, as revealed by Government sources. In the early hours of May 8, the Indian Armed Forces executed retaliatory strikes on multiple Pakistani military assets, including air defence radars. One of the key systems neutralised was an air defence unit in Lahore—highlighting both the reach and restraint of India’s countermeasures.
While Pakistan’s assault was marked by an attempt to provoke a wider military conflict, India’s responsev remained tightly focused and proportionate. The Ministry of Defence reiterated that the counter-offensive was carried out “in the same domain with the same intensity,” specifically targeting military installations and avoiding escalation beyond necessary defence parameters.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Pakistan has simultaneously intensified mortar and artillery shelling along the LoC in sectors such as Kupwara, Uri, Poonch, and Rajouri. These unprovoked attacks have led to the tragic loss of 16 civilian lives, including women and children—further underlining the human cost of continued aggression.
Despite the provocation, India reaffirmed its commitment to non-escalation. Officials made it clear that continued peace depends on reciprocal restraint. During the Operation SINDOOR briefing held on May 7, India had cautioned that any attack on its military assets would invite a proportionate response. That warning has now translated into action, but with strategic discipline.
As debris from the Pakistani attacks is being recovered across Northern and Western India, a clear message emerges: India will protect its sovereignty, but it will not fan the flames of conflict unless provoked. The door to peace remains open, provided Pakistan exercises the same restraint.
