In a dramatic escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, powerful explosions from Indian missiles struck multiple Pakistani air bases early on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The Pakistani military confirmed that blasts occurred at three air force sites, including the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, located less than 10 kilometers from the capital and adjacent to the army’s General Headquarters. This marked a significant intensification of the ongoing conflict, bringing the two nuclear-armed neighbors closer to all-out war.
Pakistan's military stated that retaliatory strikes had been launched against Indian military sites after India allegedly targeted three airbases. The Pakistani Civil Aviation authority announced the closure of its airspace from 03:15 AM local time (22:15 GMT) on May 9, 2025, until 12 noon (07:00 GMT) on May 10, 2025, in response to the latest attacks. Eyewitnesses reported a series of loud blasts in Srinagar, the capital city of Indian-administered Kashmir, as explosions echoed across the region.
Amidst the chaos, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday, May 9, to discuss the escalating situation. An urgent media briefing was scheduled for early Saturday morning, signaling the gravity of the situation.
Pakistan claimed that India had fired missiles at three of its military bases but asserted that most of the missiles were intercepted. The Pakistani military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, stated during a televised address that only a few missiles made it past air defenses and did not hit any “air assets.” He described the Indian strikes as a “provocation of the highest order.”
On the Indian side, locals in Srinagar reported hearing big explosions, prompting blackouts across the city. Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along both the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan, raising alarms about potential threats to civilian and military targets. The Indian military has been on high alert, with surface-to-air missile systems activated in the area.
In a tragic turn of events, a senior Indian civil servant, Raj Kumar Thappa, the additional district development commissioner for Rajouri, was killed when a shell struck his residence amid ongoing cross-border shelling. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his shock and sadness over the loss, stating, "Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer." This incident underscores the human cost of the escalating conflict.
Reports indicate that Pakistani shelling has severely damaged houses and civilian properties in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri region, while the Indian Army has claimed to have destroyed several Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads. The violence has prompted thousands of residents living near the Line of Control to evacuate to safer areas, as heavy shelling continues.
As tensions mount, the G7 foreign ministers, including representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, called for “immediate de-escalation” and urged both nations to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful resolution. The ministers expressed deep concern for the safety of civilians on both sides, emphasizing that further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability.
In a show of force, the Indian government has activated 14 of its 32 infantry battalions of the Territorial Army for deployment across the country until February 2028, as part of a larger mobilization of troops to the border. This move reflects India's commitment to maintaining operational strength amid the escalating conflict.
Pakistan, in turn, has claimed to have conducted its own retaliatory strikes under the name Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, targeting multiple locations in India. The Pakistani military has stated that it aimed to hit Indian military sites in response to what it described as “unprovoked” aggression from India. Video footage from the Nur Khan air base showed flames and smoke billowing into the night sky, illustrating the severity of the situation.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear how both nations will navigate this precarious moment. With both sides exchanging fire and rhetoric, the potential for further escalation looms large. The international community watches closely, hoping for a diplomatic resolution to a conflict that has spanned decades.
In a related development, the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India announced the closure of 24 airports until May 14, 2025, due to the escalating tensions. Flight operations at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted, with 138 flights canceled as a result of the ongoing conflict.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with reports of explosions heard across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, Akhnoor, Rajouri, and Udhampur. The Indian military remains on high alert as it responds to the ongoing threats from across the border.
As both nations brace for what could be a prolonged period of conflict, the hope for peace remains a distant prospect. The need for dialogue and restraint is more critical than ever, as the consequences of further escalation could be dire for both countries and the wider region.
