Pakistan announces military operation against India & launches missile strikes
The two powers now sit on the brink of all-out war
Henry HollowayJuliana Cruz Lima
PAKISTAN says it has launched a military operation against India with missile and drone strikes on 25 targets.
It is the latest escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals after a week of clashes on the border and in Kashmir.
Missile launch at night.
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Footage of missiles being launched was posted by the Pakistani militaryCredit: X
Fire and smoke from an explosion in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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Fire and smoke rise following an explosion in Rawalpindi, PakistanCredit: Reuters
Trails from an Indian air defense system over Jammu during a Pakistani strike.
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Trails from an Indian air defence system are seen above Jammu during a Pakistani strikeCredit: AFP
Missile launcher at night.
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A missile launcher seen during the latest attacks between the nuke-armed neighbours
Screenshot of a Fateh One missile system launching a missile.
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The strikes were a 'blatant escalation', according to Indian military officialsCredit: Getty
Pakistan's military said it used medium-range Fateh missiles to strike more than 25 military sites.
They claimed to have attacked airbases and weapons depots in the Indian states of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan, as well as locations in India-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan dubbed the attack "Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos", named after a verse from the holy book of Islam, the Quran.
At least 13 civilians were killed in Pakistani Kashmir on Saturday, with a further 50 injured, the region's disaster authority said.
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More than 50 people were also injured in the region, the authority said.
India military officials called Pakistan's strikes a "blatant escalation" and said they had come under attack by drones and "other munitions".
The US has already called on both sides to step back from the edge of a potentially devastating war.
Trump's secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington would help starting "constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts" .
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Islamabad blamed New Dehli for "continuous provocation" - with the attack coming after Indian missiles hit targets in late on Tuesday.
India claimed it had been hitting back over the deaths of 26 tourists in a terror attack in Kashmir.
New Dehli blames Islamabad for the attack - and has repeatedly accused Pakistan of being a haven for terrorists.
In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on Wednesday, blitzing nine targets across Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.
Pakistan says it has killed 40-50 Indian soldiers near Kashmir border in retaliation for strikes
Why an India Pakistan war is a nuke timebomb with a terrifying threat to millions
Illustration comparing India and Pakistan's military capabilities.
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Pakistan’s media wing confirmed its forces had launched attacks on “multiple targets” across India in retaliation for the Indian strikes on three of its airbases – Noor Khan, Murid and Shorkot.
Military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said most incoming Indian missiles had been intercepted, but confirmed damage to facilities.
Footage posted by Pakistan’s military on X appeared to show Fateh missiles being fired from mobile launchers.
The strikes triggered loud explosions in Indian-administered Kashmir, with blasts reported in Srinagar, Jammu and the garrison town of Udhampur.
Five people were confirmed dead in the Jammu region, Indian police told Reuters.
India responded by destroying drones and incoming munitions along its western borders, saying its air defences “instantly engaged and destroyed” the threats.
In Amritsar, the army said it neutralised multiple armed Pakistani drones spotted over a military cantonment.
Col. Sofiya Qureshi said there had been “limited damage” to some Indian military bases and accused Pakistan of targeting civilian medical and educational facilities.
Man walking amidst debris on a damaged roof.
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A man walks amidst debris on the roof of a damaged house, following Pakistan’s military operation against India, in Rehari, JammuCredit: Reuters
Damaged cars covered in dust and debris after Pakistani artillery shelling.
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Damaged vehicles are pictured following Pakistani artillery shelling in JammuCredit: AFP
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (15291234o) An Indian paramilitary soldier patrols along the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on May 9, 2025. The Indian government issues a red alert across Indian Kashmir amid escalating tensions with neighboring Pakistan. On May 7, the Indian Armed Forces launch 'Operation Sindoor', targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government states that it carries out military strikes on nine sites in Pakistan in retaliation for the deadly militant attack on tourists at the popular resort town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which leaves 26 tourists dead. Tensions Between India And Pakistan, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir - 09 May 2025
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Indian paramilitary soldier patrols along the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar
Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir addressing troops at military exercises.
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Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, third standing on tank, delivers his speechCredit: AP
She added that Indian strikes had hit radar and technical bases inside Pakistan in retaliation.
“India reiterates its commitment to non-escalation provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military,” she said.
At a morning press briefing, an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said its forces had “successfully neutralised” the threats and stood ready for “non-escalation.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan moved more troops to its border with India, which New Dehli signals “offensive intent to further escalate the situation”.
“Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness,” said the military spokesperson.
Despite the barrage, Pakistan Armed Forces posted a statement online suggesting they were open to talks.
“Now that a response has been given we hope the neighbour [India] will move to dialogue and diplomacy like civilised nations,” it read.
On Saturday morning, the first phone call between the two nuke-armed neighbours reportedly took place amid the rising conflict, according to CNN.
Pakistan's foreign minister also said on Saturday his country would consider de-escalation if India stopped further attacks.
But Ishaq Dar warned that if India launched any strikes, "our response will follow".
Dar told Pakistan's Geo News that he also conveyed this message to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio when he contacted him after speaking to New Delhi two hours ago.
"We responded because our patience had reached its limit. If they stop here, we will also consider stopping," he said.
The deadly flare-up follows a massacre in India-administered Kashmir on April 22, where 26 mostly Hindu Indian tourists were killed.
India has blamed Pakistan for backing the attack – a charge Islamabad denies.
On Wednesday, more than 100 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets reportedly clashed in a ferocious dogfight, marking one of the biggest aerial battles since World War Two.
The hour-long showdown in the skies saw advanced Chinese and Western weapons go head-to-head for the first time.
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The high-stakes engagement reportedly involved a staggering 125 warplanes as both sides hurled long-range missiles at each other from within their own airspace, according to CNN.
Pakistani officials claimed five Indian jets were shot down using Chinese-made PL-15 missiles - though New Delhi has yet to confirm any losses.
Why are India and Pakistan enemies?
DISPUTES between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir date back decades.
The Muslim-majority territory was fought over in the aftermath of both countries' independence following the partition of India in 1947.War between India and Pakistan would break out again in 1965 - which ended in a ceasefire.Kashmir's control remains divided to this day, and tensions frequently flare up over the region.India also fought Pakistan wars in 1971 and 1999 - with the conflict in the 70s resulting the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.And the current conflict stems from how the region was split up as the two countries were gaining independence.Indian troops took two-thirds of Kashmir, while Pakistan seized the northern third.Since then, the row has developed into one of the most intense geopolitical rivalries on earth.There are about 16 million people in Kashmir, split between the Indian-controlled and Pakistani-controlled zones.
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