Operation Sindoor, India Pakistan Tensions NEWS Live: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi on Friday said during MEA’s press briefing that Pakistan deployed between 300 and 400 drones across 36 locations along India’s northern and western borders. Preliminary investigations indicate that Turkey’s SONGAR drones were used in the attacks. Colonel Qureshi stated that Indian forces successfully neutralised the drones using both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures. She also confirmed that a Pakistani UAV attempted to target a military installation in Bathinda, but the Indian Armed Forces intercepted and foiled the attack.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that Pakistan’s conduct has been very “irresponsible” so far. She added that Pakistan didn’t even close its airspace after launching the attack on India last night and is in fact using its civilian airlines as a shield.
Indian forces intercepted Pakistani drones over key areas on Thursday night amid city-wide blackouts. Airforce and Defence ministry confirmed that three Indian military stations in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were attacked by Pakistan. Defence ministry sources confirmed that 8 missiles were targeted at Jammu city and subsequently thwarted. A blackout was enforced in several districts, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Gurdaspur in Punjab and Chandigarh.
Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to officials in border areas and directed them to take stock of the situation. Many states have also announced the closure of schools, blackouts in border districts, and cancellation of leave of police personnel and administration officials amid the escalating tensions.
“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 Procedures. No casualties or material losses were reported. India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people,” read an update from the Ministry of Defence.
‘Fundamentally, not our problem,’ says US Vice President JD Vance
US Vice President JD Vance, speaking to Fox News, said that while the United States is encouraging India and Pakistan to reduce tensions, it has no plans to directly intervene in the conflict. He stressed that the issue lies outside America’s control and influence, and that both nations must make their own decisions. “What we can do is try to encourage these folks to deescalate a little bit, but we’re not going to get involved in the middle of war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it,” Vance said.
Vance added that the US will continue supporting peace efforts through diplomacy. “You know, America can’t tell the Indians to lay down their arms. We can’t tell the Pakistanis to lay down their arms. And so, we’re going to continue to pursue this thing through diplomatic channels,” he said. He expressed hope that the situation won’t grow into a larger regional conflict or nuclear crisis, though he acknowledged concern about the possibility. He stressed that the responsibility lies with leaders in both countries to avoid such an outcome.
‘We are worried about these things. The job of the cooler heads in India and Pakistan is to make sure that this doesn’t become a nuclear war and if it happens, it will be disastrous but right now we don’t think it is going to happen,” Vance said.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired an All Party Meet on May 8 where various Opposition leaders and Union Ministers were in attendance. The meeting was held at the Parliament in New Delhi to discuss Operation Sindoor. This comes a day after India launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR‘ early Wednesday morning, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. As the Indian Army out it, this was a precision strike carried out by the Armed Forces at nine terror base camps in Pakistan. The strikes were in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.
Track full live coverage of India’s attack on Pakistan terror camps here:
Operation Sindoor Live Updates Here:
Blackout in Kishtwar of Jammu – WATCH
Blackout has been enforced in Kishtwar of Jammu Division, and sirens are being heard throughout the district.
#watch | J&K | A complete blackout has been enforced in Kishtwar of Jammu Division, and sirens are being heard throughout the district. pic.twitter.com/1tBwxjoxR7
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025
Explosions heard in Jammu
India’s air defence systems intercepting multiple projectiles in Jammu. Pakistan targeting Jammu.
Ambani lauds Operation Sindoor: ‘India will never remain silent in the face of terror’
We are very proud of our Indian Armed Forces for Operation Sindoor. India stands united, fierce in resolve and unshakable in purpose, against the scourge of all forms of terrorism. Under the bold and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Armed Forces have responded with precision and power to every provocation from across the border,” began a statement from Mukesh Ambani.
The Reliance Industries Chairman and MD also lauded PM Modi’s leadership — nothing that he had demonstrated that India would “never remain silent in the face of terror and that we will not tolerate a single attack on our soil, on our civilians, or on the brave men and women who defend our nation”.
“The last few days have shown that every threat to our peace will be met with firm and decisive action. The Reliance family is ready to support any measure in protecting our nation’s unity and integrity. We like our fellow Indians believe – India seeks peace, but not at the cost of its pride, security or sovereignty,” he added.
Rubio calls Pakistan PM Sharif, urges Islamabad and New Delhi to step back
According to a Reuters report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday and stressed on the need for India and Pakistan to work closely to de-escalate their conflict. Details about the interaction were shared in a statement by Sharif’s office.
Punjab’s Gurdaspur under district-wide blackout from Thursday night
Gurdaspur district in Punjab will remain under a blackout from 9:00 pm to 5:00 amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. The order issued by the deputy commissioner of Gurdaspur said the protocols would remain in place until further notice. No blackout will be conducted in cantonment zones or military areas. Other districts in the state have indicated that blackouts will be imposed based on real-time alerts from the Army or Air Force.
‘This time Pakistan will be taught a lesson’: AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj
“I congratulate our country’s Army and Air force that due to their alertness a big attack on India was averted…This time, Pakistan will be taught a lesson. Our Air Force deserves congratulations…The whole world knows that if Pakistan dares to attack India, then the Indian Army is fully capable of destroying them…I believe that India does not need permission from any country to protect itself. India is an independent country,” said AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj.
All schools, colleges in Jammu to remain closed tomorrow
“In view of the prevailing situation, all schools, colleges & educational institutions (private as well as Government) in the districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch shall remain closed tomorrow, on 9th May as well,” read a social media update from the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu.
PM Modi meets Army chief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi at his official residence on Thursday evening.
India says Pakistan ‘only trying to delay’ Pahalgam probe
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistani statements about joining a neutral probe about the Pahalgam terror attack was “only a delaying tactic”. He accused the other country of only attempting to obstruct the ongoing investigation.
‘If Pakistan attempts a further escalation…’
“…Now if there is an attempt at further escalation by Pakistan, it will be responded to in an appropriate domain and therefore the choices entirely that of Pakistan to make,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
India slams Pakistani bid to paint clash in ‘communal angle’
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri slammed Pakistan for making efforts to paint the recent Indian actions in a communal angle. He also highlighted a speech made by the Pakistani Army chief last month to underscore his point. Misri also noted instances of religious profiling during the Pahalgam attack.
“I can only say that these nefarious designs will not be able to succeed in India,” he assured.
India responds to Pakistani propaganda about downing Indian jets
#WATCH | Delhi: On Pakistan's propaganda that it downed Indian jets, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "…There is nothing surprising in it. After all, this is a country in which lies started as soon as it was born. In 1947, when the Pakistani army claimed Jammu and Kashmir,… pic.twitter.com/u8q7C9fiwa
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025
No update regarding contact between NSAs of both countries’
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said he had no information to share regarding contact between the NSAs of India and Pakistan.
The remarks came hours after reports indicated that the two countries remained in touch through National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Lt Gen Asim Malik and their High Commissions. Pakistani deputy PM and Foreign minister Ishaq Dar had also confirmed contact between the two officials during an interview with TRT World.
India calls for reassessment of obligations under Indus Water Treaty
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India has called for a reassessment of its obligations under the Indus Water Treaty. He noted that New Delhi had honoured the agreement for more than six decades despite active violations from Pakistan. Misri said India had sent several notices over the past 2.5 years asking the other country to discuss modification of the treaty with India.
The top official reminded that the Treaty had been inked “in the spirit of goodwill and friendship”.
“Pakistan is the one acting in violation of Indus Water Treaty, creating roadblocks in india’s excercising its right on western rivers,” he reiterated.
‘Giving terrorists state funerals…’: MEA takes a swipe at Pakistan during briefing
“It’s also odd that funerals of civilians are being carried out by coffins wrapped in their national flag, and state honours are being awarded…As far as we are concerned, the individuals eliminated at these facilities were terrorists. Giving terrorists state funerals, maybe a practice in Pakistan,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
‘Not possible to share operational details’
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has refused to share operational details about the ongoing situation.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted a viral image of LeT commander Hafiz Abdul Rauf and Pakistani Army officials attending the funeral of terrorists killed earlier this week during an MEA briefing.
“It’s also odd that funerals of civilians are being carried out by coffins wrapped in their national flag, and state honours are being awarded,” he added.
‘India has targeted only terrorist infrastructure’: MEA counters claims of attack against dam in PoK
India has rubbished allegations that it targeted a dam in the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project within Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir as being “an absolute fabrication and a blatant lie”.
‘Don’t need to remind where Osama Bin Laden was found’
“Pakistan’s reputation as the epicentre of global terrorism is rooted in a number of instances… I don’t need to remind where Osama Bin Laden was found and who called him a martyr…Pakistan is also home to a large number of UN proscribed terrorists and also to terrorists proscribed by many countries…You must have seen in the last few days, their Defence minister and former foreign minister accepted their country’s involvement with such terror groups,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
India slams Pakistani retaliation that killed several civilians in Poonch
“Since yesterday morning a total of 16 civilians have been killed and 59 others have been injured by Pakistani attacks,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
He also countered claims shared by Islamabad to note that a targeted attack in the Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir had struck a gurudwara and killed three people.
Foreign Secretary addresses ‘escalation’ claims
“First of all, there is mention on all sides of escalation. I think the first point that you have to keep in mind is that the attack in Pahalgam on April 22 was the original escalation, and the Indian Armed Forces only replied to that escalation on May 7….India’s response is non-escalatory, precious and considered. Our intention has not been to escalate matters and we are responding only to the original escalation, and only terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan has been hit,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
He also drew attention to the involvement of The Resistance Front in this attack.
“I pointed this out yesterday that this a group that is a known front for a well-known Pakistan-based organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba. The group has been reported earlier,” he added.
‘Reason to believe Pakistan uses evidence that we provide to defend terrorists and cover their tracks’
“There is reason to believe Pakistan uses evidence that we provide to defend terrorists and cover their tracks,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
‘Pakistan opposed role of TRF after they claimed responsibility for Pahalgam attack twice’
“When talks were going on about the Pahalgam at the UNSC, Pakistan opposed the role of TRF (The Resistance Front). This is after TRF claimed the responsibility of the attack not once, but twice… Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh clearly said yesterday as well as today, that India’s response is non-escalatory, precise, and measured. Our intention is not to escalate matters and we are only responding to the escalation. No military targets have been targeted; only terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan has been hit,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
‘Air Defence system at Lahore neutralised’: MEA confirms during briefing
“This morning, the Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised,” said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during an MEA briefing.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri flags misinformation from across the border
First off, there is mention on all sites of escalation. I think the attack of pahalgam was original escalation. That was the origin. This is an answer to that escalation.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed the death of sixteen people — including three women and five children — due to Pakistani firing. India was compelled to respond in order to bring the Mortar and Artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt.
‘Pakistan attacked several Indian military sites’: MEA holds fresh briefing
Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. 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
Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh to address media again
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh will address the media again on Thursday evening. The briefing comes hours after India revealed that Pakistan “attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India”, using drones and missiles during the night. These were however intercepted and India also attacked and neutralised an air defence system in Lahore in retaliation.
Jammu and Kashmir CM chairs meeting to assess ground situation
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a meeting with Deputy Commissioners of border districts to assess the ground situation on Thursday afternoon.
US asks its citizens to leave Lahore or seek shelter
A statement from the US Consulate also advised its citizens to have evacuation plans that do not rely on US government assistance, carry up-to-date and easily accessible travel documents, monitor local media for updates, carry proper identification, and cooperate with authorities. The Consulate said it had also received initial reports that authorities may be evacuating some areas adjacent to Lahore’s main airport.
“US citizens who find themselves in an area of active conflict should leave if they can do so safely. If it is not safe to leave, they should shelter-in-place,” the statement said.