India Pakistan Tensions, Conflicts Latest News: India on May 8 successfully blocked a large-scale drone and missile attack by Pakistan aimed at key military and civilian areas in northern and western parts of India.
Late night on Thursday, Pakistan attempted to launch a swarm of drones across several locations along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), but the Indian Army successfully intercepted and neutralised over 50 drones, an ANI report said citing sources. This was part of a large-scale counter-drone operation carried out by the Army’s Air Defence units in areas such as Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot. The operation involved the extensive use of L-70 guns, Zu-23mm, Schilka systems, and other advanced counter-UAS technologies, showcasing the Indian Army’s strong capabilities in dealing with aerial threats, according to ANI sources.
The Indian armed forces are said to have also used advanced defence systems like the S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ to stop the strikes midway. As per latest reports, the attack caused no significant damage on Indian the soil.While the exact number of drones and missiles intercepted has not been disclosed yet, officials confirmed that all threats were effectively handled. “No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian Armed Forces as per SoP with kinetic & non-kinetic means,” the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff said in a statement. As per latest reports, the attack caused no significant damage on Indian the soil.
Here’s how the night of May 8 unfolded:
Drone and Missile Attacks
Initially, loud sirens were heard in Jammu and Kashmir‘s Akhnoor, Samba, Baramulla, Kupwara, and several nearby areas. Slowly, the sound of these air sirens spread and the residents of Jammu started capturing the drones on videos and shared the footage on social media. Following the successful defence, the Ministry of Defence stated that India is “fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people.”
As per ANI, eight missiles were launched from Pakistan, targeting the Jammu civil airport, Samba, RS Pura, Arnia, Akhnoor and nearby areas.
Officials have said that the drones were also targeted at India’s military bases in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, and more locations. “Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir today,” a defence ministry spokesperson said.
The strike was intended to cause major destruction. However, India’s strong air defence systems, detected and neutralised all incoming threats, keeping vital infrastructure safe.
Debris from intercepted drones recovered
As per the pictures shared by PTI, debris from the intercepted drones and missiles were found in several parts of northern India. Forensic teams are now examining the remains to better understand the size and planning behind Pakistan’s aerial strike. The recovered evidence points to a high level of coordination involved in the attack.
Complete Blackouts Enforced
Several border cities across northern and western India, including Pathankot, Amritsar, and Jaisalmer, were plunged into complete darkness on May 8 after Pakistan launched drones and missiles targeting military installations, especially in Jammu and Pathankot. Jammu also experienced a full power outage accompanied by loud blasts, likely from shelling, or missile activity.
Here’s a region-wise breakdown of blackout enforcement:
Jammu & Kashmir: Areas including Samba, Udhampur, Rajouri, and other parts of the Union Territory experienced full blackouts. Jammu city faced a sudden loss of power following loud explosions believed to be the result of intercepted aerial threats. Air raid sirens blared across the city, prompting residents to take shelter in fear and confusion.
Rajasthan: Jaisalmer, along with Jodhpur, Barmer, and Sriganganagar, enforced total blackouts. In Sriganganagar, police instructed residents to stay indoors and switch off all lights due to a red alert. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma held an urgent security meeting earlier in the day to review the situation along the state’s border with Pakistan.
Punjab and Chandigarh: Blackouts were implemented in several districts, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Tarn Taran, as well as in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. In Jalandhar, security forces intercepted and neutralized drones around 11:20 PM, according to PTI. Air raid sirens sounded in Pathankot, where blackouts began around 8:30 PM. Local authorities urged citizens to stay inside and strictly follow safety protocols.
Gujarat: Complete blackouts were enforced in key border areas of Kutch and Banaskantha. Towns such as Bhuj, Nalia, Nakhatrana, and Gandhidham were darkened as a preventive measure against potential strikes.
Ceasefire violations by Pakistan continue
After the launch of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan raised tensions further by breaching the ceasefire and targeting civilian areas along the Jammu and Kashmir border late on May 7. The sudden shelling triggered fear and chaos in nearby villages, leading to damage to homes and local infrastructure. Scenes from the affected areas revealed broken windows, cracked walls, and scattered debris, highlighting the intensity and random nature of the attack. This violation continued on May 8 even as missile and drones were sent to attack multiple sites in India.
Airlines/Airports Status and Advisories
Delhi Airport has confirmed that flight operations are running normally, but some disruptions could occur due to changes in airspace and enhanced security measures. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and rely only on official sources for accurate information.
IndiGo Update: For passengers who booked flights on or before May 8, 2025, for travel until May 22, 2025, IndiGo is offering free changes or cancellations. This applies to flights to/from: Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh and Rajkot.
Air India & Akasa Airlines Update: Both airlines have advised passengers to arrive at least 3 hours before departure due to additional security measures imposed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
SpiceJet Advisory: SpiceJet recommends arriving 3 hours prior to flight time for a smoother check-in process. Check-in will close 75 minutes before the flight departs, as per BCAS rules.
Airspace Activity: According to Flightradar24, civilian aircraft largely avoided airspace over Pakistan and western India (from Kashmir to Gujarat) on Thursday. The airspace was mostly clear of civilian flights, with airlines steering clear of sensitive zones due to ongoing tensions.
BSF foils massive infiltration bid in Samba
The Border Security Force (BSF) successfully thwarted a major infiltration attempt during the night along the International Boundary in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir. The attempt took place around 11 pm. Earlier, Indian Defence sources confirmed that the Indian Army had shot down two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. These drones were intercepted amid intense artillery exchanges between Indian and Pakistani forces. Additionally, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff reported that Pakistan had attempted to target military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, all near the International Border. The Indian Armed Forces mounted a strong response, ensuring no casualties were reported.
Did Indian Navy strike Karachi Port on May 8?
According to multiple media reports, the Indian Navy might have deployed its powerful aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, to the Arabian Sea. While some unconfirmed reports suggest the vessel may have targeted Pakistan’s Karachi port, there has been no official confirmation of any such action. As of now, Indian Navy has not initiated any offensive strike so far. Instead, INS Vikrant and other naval assets are reported to be actively patrolling the waters to secure India’s maritime borders and are fully prepared to respond to any provocation from Pakistan.
However, in a massive development, India’s maritime strength received a significant boost with the delivery of ‘Arnala’, the first in a series of eight indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs), to the Indian Navy on May 8, 2025, a report by ANI said. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, ‘Arnala’ was handed over at the L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli. This marks a major step forward in India’s efforts to enhance its coastal defense capabilities using homegrown technology, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.
Complete ban on Pakistani films, songs, podcasts and web-series
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered a complete ban on Pakistan-origin content across all OTT and media streaming platforms in India, effective immediately. This includes web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other digital media produced in Pakistan.
The move follows the recent spike in tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
In its advisory issued on May 8, the ministry stated that the decision was taken in the “interest of national security.” It added, “…all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content…having its origin in Pakistan with immediate effect.”
US Response towards rising tensions between India-Pakistan
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States is actively encouraging both India and Pakistan to seek a responsible and peaceful resolution to the current situation.
She noted that the US is maintaining regular communication with both governments through various channels. However, she added that the details of these discussions and the specific messages exchanged will not be made public.
US Vice President JD Vance on the other hand said the conflict between India and Pakistan is “fundamentally none of our business”. Vance explained in an interview with Fox News that while the US will encourage both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, it will not interfere in their conflict. He said that the US has no control over the situation and cannot dictate actions to either side, stressing that the conflict is beyond America’s influence. He further stated that the US will continue to handle the matter through diplomatic channels.