Here’s a concise summary of key developments as reported:
India’s Military Actions:
- Indian Army has destroyed Pakistani posts and terror launchpads near Jammu, which were being used to launch drones into Indian territory.
- The Indian Air Force reportedly shot down two Pakistani fighter jets over Srinagar.
- Four Pakistani air bases – Nur Khan, Murid, Rafiqui, and another unidentified location – were targeted with Indian missiles and drones.
- India intercepted and destroyed a Pakistani Abdali missile over Jaisalmer, which has a 450 km range.
- India claims no damage to its S-400 missile system, dismissing Pakistani propaganda.
- Launched Fateh-II hypersonic missiles on the night of May 9–10, which were intercepted over Sirsa (Haryana).
- Conducted artillery shelling and drone intrusions along LoC and IB.
- Pakistani military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry confirmed missile attacks on airbases but claimed no major damage and vowed retaliation.
Missile Systems in Use:
- Fateh-II (Pakistan): A guided hypersonic missile with a 400 km range; compared to US GMLRS or China’s PHL series.
- Abdali (Pakistan): A short-range ballistic missile, also intercepted.
- S-400 (India): India’s top-tier air defense system, reportedly unharmed.
Escalation at the Border
Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a boiling point following a wave of cross-border hostilities that include drone incursions, missile launches, and direct military strikes. What began as retaliatory precision strikes by India against terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after a brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir has spiralled into a full-blown military escalation. With airbases under fire, fighter jets downed, and missile threats intercepted mid-air, the region teeters on the edge of wider conflict.
Drones and Missile Threats Intercepted in Jaisalmer and Sirsa
In the western sector, Indian military forces near Jaisalmer intercepted a number of aerial threats, including drones and a Pakistani Abdali missile, mid-air. The Abdali, a short-range ballistic missile with a 450 km range, was neutralized successfully by India’s missile defense systems. Meanwhile, on the night of May 9–10, Pakistan launched Fateh-II hypersonic missiles, targeting Indian infrastructure. These too were successfully intercepted over Sirsa, Haryana, by India’s robust air defense systems.
The Fateh-II, comparable to the U.S. HIMARS-launched GMLRS, is capable of striking high-value military targets. Although claimed to be indigenously developed by Pakistan, it is widely believed to have been aided by Chinese technology.
Indian Airstrikes Target Pakistani Air Bases
On May 10, India launched a major retaliatory offensive, targeting four Pakistani air bases with missiles and drones. According to Pakistani military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, the airbases hit included Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Shorkot). While Chaudhry claimed all assets were safe and multiple missiles were intercepted, Indian defense sources suggest substantial damage was inflicted, especially on critical air infrastructure.
The Murid Airbase, in particular, holds strategic significance for Pakistan’s northern air operations and has long served as a logistics and surveillance hub.
Air-to-Air Engagement: Two Pakistani Jets Shot Down
In a significant escalation, India shot down two Pakistani fighter jets over Jammu and Kashmir’s airspace near Srinagar on the morning of May 10. The wreckage is currently being recovered, while Indian air defenses remain on high alert. This incident marks the first public aerial dogfight reported since the Balakot episode in 2019.
Additionally, India has denied rumors circulated on social media about the capture of a female Indian Air Force officer, with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) calling it false and malicious propaganda.
Firing Along the LoC and International Border Continues
Amid the missile exchanges and airstrikes, artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified. Both sides are reportedly engaging in heavy retaliatory fire, with civilian areas at increasing risk.
Indian forces, deployed near Jammu, destroyed multiple Pakistani military posts and drone launchpads responsible for launching tube-launched drones into Indian territory overnight. Indian defense systems reportedly intercepted the majority of these drones before they could inflict any damage.
The unfolding hostilities between India and Pakistan signal a deeply volatile phase in bilateral relations. What began as a counter-terror operation has escalated into a multi-theater conflict involving advanced missile systems, aerial combat, and long-range strikes. While both sides claim to have intercepted most incoming threats, the potential for further escalation remains dangerously high. With nuclear-capable powers locked in a cycle of action and retaliation, regional stability now hangs by a thread. The coming days will be critical — not only for military strategy but for diplomacy, restraint, and the hope of averting a broader war.
(With agency inputs)
