In a significant escalation of hostilities, Pakistan launched coordinated drone and missile attacks targeting multiple locations along India’s western frontier late on Thursday evening (May 8). However, the Indian armed forces responded with swift precision and successfully intercepted the aerial threats before they could inflict damage.
A complete blackout is being witnessed in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan after a missile and drone attack by Pakistan. According to defence sources, Pakistan launched eight missiles at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia sector in Jammu Division. However, all were intercepted by Indian Air Defence Units.
Pakistani drones were also intercepted by India’s “Sudarshan Chakra”—S-400 Air Defence System. A video shared by news agency Asia News International shows flashes in the sky after a Pakistani drone is successfully intercepted. Explosions can also be heard in the video.
India also shot down two Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets while trying to intrude into the Indian airspace, multiple reports claimed. However, the Pakistani military has denied the claim and termed a video of DG ISPR admitting the loss as “deep fake”
Reports also claimed an F-16 supersonic fighter jet of the Pakistani Air Force was shot down by India using a surface-to-air missile defence system. Indian security forces have captured a Pakistani pilot in Rajasthan’s Lathi area after his JF-17 fighter jet was shot down near the border.
The wreckage of the aircraft was found near Jaisalmer, and a search operation is underway for any additional crew members or debris. Search is underway for another pilot of the Pakistan Army, sources said.
Moreover, after the Indian Air Force launched precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Indian Navy has now stepped into action. The Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, stationed in the Arabian Sea, has reportedly launched missile strikes on key Pakistani naval bases, causing major destruction and panic along Pakistan’s coastline.
According to defence sources, INS Vikrant has fired multiple missiles at Pakistan’s Karachi and Ormara ports. The attacks have caused massive fires at both locations, with smoke seen billowing across the city. “INS Vikrant ne Karachi ko nishane par lekar bhaari tabahi machani shuru kar di hai. Nausena ke hamle se Karachi ke bandargah samet shehar mein bhaari aag lagi hui hai,” sources said, confirming the extent of the damage.
Meanwhile, a complete blackout has been enforced in several border areas, including Udhampur, Samba, Akhnoor and Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, and Jalandhar in Punjab, and Jaisalmer in Pakistan. Sirens are also being heard in several areas throughout the district.
The tensions between India and Pakistan started after Islamabad backed terrorists gunned down 25 innocent civilians, mostly tourists from across the country, and a Nepali national in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. Following the brutal attack, India launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam attack and destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier on Thursday, India’s air defence systems had already neutralised a “substantial” wave of missiles and loitering munitions aimed at both civilian and military infrastructure across northern and western parts of the country. The international border areas have witnessed intense shelling, which led to the imposition of emergency measures in sensitive regions.