On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Ministry of Defence reported that Pakistan attempted to target 16 Indian military installations across northern and western India in retaliation to India's Operation Sindoor. This operation was a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Fortunately, all incoming drones and missiles aimed at these Indian military sites were intercepted by India’s Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.
During a press briefing on May 7, 2025, officials described India's response to the Pahalgam attack as focused, measured, and non-escalatory. It was specifically mentioned that Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted. The Ministry of Defence reiterated, "any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response." However, on the night of May 7-8, Pakistan launched missiles and drones aimed at a string of Indian military targets including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.
According to the Ministry of Defence, "These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems. The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks." In response to these provocations, India launched a targeted counter-offensive early Thursday morning, neutralizing an Air Defence system at Lahore. The ministry confirmed, "Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan." This response was described as being in the same domain and of the same intensity as the Pakistani attacks.
In addition to these missile attacks, Pakistan escalated tensions along the Line of Control, resorting to heavy mortar and artillery shelling in the Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. Tragically, this resulted in the loss of sixteen innocent lives, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing. The Ministry of Defence stated, "Here too, India was compelled to respond to bring Mortar and Artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt." Despite these escalations, India has maintained that its actions remain non-escalatory and calibrated, with a firm warning that restraint must be mutual.
The backdrop to these tensions is rooted in the recent history of conflict between the two nations. The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack was particularly brutal, with terrorists separating male tourists from women and children and executing them based on their religion. The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for this heinous act.
Following the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to "identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers," a promise that has been fulfilled by the Indian armed forces through Operation Sindoor. This operation targeted nine key terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) headquarters in Bahawalpur and the LeT's training base in Muridke.
On May 7, 2025, India launched missile strikes aimed at terror sites, with the intention of avenging not only the Pahalgam massacre but also other terror attacks by Pakistan-based outfits. According to reports, dozens of terrorists may have been killed in these strikes, although no official confirmation has been provided yet.
The targeted sites included the JeM facility in Tehra Kalan village of Sarjal area in Pakistan’s Punjab, which is linked to previous attacks, including the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack that resulted in the deaths of six security personnel. This facility is located just six kilometers from the International Border in the Samba sector of Jammu.
Additionally, the Markaz Taiba complex in Muridke, which spans 82 acres, is reportedly the headquarters of Hafiz Saeed’s terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The complex has historical ties to Osama Bin Laden, who provided funds for its establishment. Perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, including Ajmal Kasab, received training at this facility.
As tensions continue to rise, both nations remain on high alert. India's Ministry of Defence has made it clear that while they aim for a non-escalatory approach, they will not hesitate to respond decisively to any threats against their sovereignty. The situation remains fluid, and the international community is watching closely as both sides navigate this precarious moment in their long-standing conflict.
In summary, the recent military exchanges between India and Pakistan underscore the fragile nature of peace in the region. With both sides demonstrating their military capabilities and readiness to respond to provocations, the potential for further escalation remains a significant concern.
