India has started retaliatory operation, sources said, after Pakistan escalated hostilities by opening air strikes and drone attacks in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan on Thursday evening. Post-midnight on Friday, the Indian Navy started targeted operations in the Arabian Sea against multiple targets in Pakistan, sources said.

India had earlier underscored that while its actions are controlled and measured, it would respond “in the same domain (and) with the same intensity” as the attacks launched by Pakistan. “The Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military,” the government had said.

The Indian retaliation followed several hours of Pakistani airstrikes that started around 8.30 pm — hours after its foiled attempt to target 15 Indian cities.

The Pakistan army launched attack on parts of Jammu and Kashmir and its military stations, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab. While the border areas in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control and International border are under heavy shelling, winter capital Jammu is facing relentless air strikes. Kamikaze drones are being dropped on Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. One has even been intercepted near Sir Creek in Gujarat. All missiles and drones are being successfully intercepted. 

Read: India Neutralises Pak Drones And Missiles Aimed At 15 Cities, Destroys Air Defence System

Shortly before 9 pm, loud explosions were heard from Jammu and were followed by clamour of sirens and a blackout. Cellphone videos sent by locals showed lights streaking across the sky, indicating interception of the missiles and drones by the Air Defence System of the Indian armed forces. 

With the activation of the Air Defence System, the sky is lighting up every other minute. On the ground, there is considerable tension. Cellphone services are down in parts of the city — an extra hurdle for locals trying to get in touch with friends and relatives.

Eight missiles were shot at Jammu and Kashmir’s RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, Hiranagar – areas with heavy military installations — which were all intercepted by the Air Defence Units.

Military Stations Targeted

The Defence ministry said military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures. No casualties or material losses were reported, the ministry said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people. 

Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot & Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin #drones and missiles along the International Border in J&K today.

The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating…

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 8, 2025

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, from its official handle, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said, “India has negated Pakistan’s escalation bid with focused, measured and non-escalatory response. Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military”.

Pak F-16 Down

Sources said the armed forces have shot down an F-16 supersonic fighter jet after it took off from the Sargodha air base in Pakistan. The forces had deployed an Indian surface-to-air missile defence system, sources told NDTV. 

Pathankot Targeted Too

Punjab’s Pathankot – just 30 km from the International Border — has also come under heavy artillery fire from Pakistan. The city is a strategic and tactical area and serves as the entry point toward Jammu. 

Blackouts In Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat

The border areas of Jammu and Kashmir are now under complete blackout. Blackout has also been declared in Chandigarh, Ferozepur, Mohali and Gurudaspur in Punjab and parts of Rajasthan — another state that shares border with Pakistan. Blackout has been declared in Gujarat too. 

IPL Match Cancelled

The IPL Cricket match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, that was in progress at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, has been cancelled. The HPCA stadium has been evacuated and its lights turned off as precautionary measure.

Extra Security At Airports, On Flights

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has instructed all airlines and airports across the country to enhance security measures.

The enhanced security measures would include mandatory secondary security checks for all passengers before boarding, restricted terminal access, allowing only passengers with valid tickets, full CCTV surveillance, Increased deployment of air marshals on flights, Tighter vehicle and passenger checks at entry points, including random baggage screening. 

What US said

Foreign minister S Jaishankar has spoken to the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The Secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation. He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” said US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. 

Read: ‘Will Respond In Measured Manner But…’: What S Jaishankar Told US On Pak

Earlier, Pak Targeted 15 Cities 

The attacks come a day after Operation Sindoor, precision strikes on the terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir following the massive terror attack on tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam. 

The government and the army have repeatedly underscored that the strikes non-escalatory, precise, controlled and measured.

Pakistan hit back early today with an attempt to target military installations in 15 cities, including Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh that got foiled by the Indian armed forces. 

The military had responded by targeting and neutralising Pakistani Air Defence Radars and systems in several locations, including Lahore. Indian forces’ response, the government said, was “in the same domain (and) with the same intensity” as the attacks launched by Pakistan.