Tensions flared along the India-Pakistan border after Pakistani drones struck a civilian area in Punjab's Ferozepur, injuring three people. SSP Bhupinder Singh Sandhu confirmed the victims suffered burn injuries and are under medical care. The Indian Army swiftly responded, neutralising most of the drones. Meanwhile, drones were also spotted near Srinagar International Airport, accompanied by loud explosions, prompting a security lockdown. In a related precautionary move, Himachal Pradesh's Solan district declared a blackout amid escalating cross-border threats. These incidents signal rising tensions, prompting heightened security along India's northern frontier. 

On Friday evening, Indian defence forces intercepted several Pakistani drones across six locations in Jammu, Samba, and Punjab's Pathankot, as tensions with Pakistan reached a boiling point. The drones were part of a larger offensive that included cross-border shelling from Pakistan in Uri, Kupwara, and Poonch. The city of Jammu was plunged into darkness following blasts and air raid sirens, prompting mosque announcements urging residents to switch off lights. Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah urged citizens to stay off the streets and remain calm. India responded with precision strikes and deployed advanced anti-drone systems, ensuring no civilian casualties occurred.

Amid escalating India-Pakistan military tensions, the BCCI has suspended IPL 2025, following a mid-way match stoppage in Dharamsala due to air raid alerts in nearby Jammu and Pathankot. Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav, took to social media to salute the Indian Armed Forces for neutralizing Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks. Kohli called their actions a symbol of “unwavering bravery,” while Bumrah and Surya expressed gratitude and pride. The decision halts the tournament with crucial playoff spots undecided. The BCCI is in talks with the government to assess future scheduling and player safety. (PC: AP)

Tensions surged in Jammu on Friday night as multiple explosions were heard across the region, triggering air raid sirens just a day after Pakistan's large-scale drone and missile offensive. The blasts followed a retaliatory strike by India on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, responding to the recent Pahalgam terror attack. While India’s air defence successfully neutralized most incoming threats on Thursday, the fresh blasts in Jammu have raised security concerns. Authorities are on high alert, and investigations are underway to determine the origin and impact of the explosions. No casualties have been reported so far.

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the suspension of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on May 9 due to growing security concerns. The decision follows repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control and heightened military activity after Pakistan's recent drone attack. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the suspension during a press briefing, stating it will remain in effect until further notice. The corridor, which allows Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, was renewed in October 2024 for another five years before this temporary halt. (PC: Wikipedia)

In a bold provocation, Pakistan launched 500 drones into Indian airspace across 24 cities in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat on May 8. The assault, lasting 210 minutes, was swiftly countered by India’s air defence systems, including the S-400 and Akash, neutralizing nearly all drones. Only one reached Jammu Civil Airport. Most drones were unarmed, equipped with cameras. India retaliated by targeting air defence systems in Islamabad, Lahore, and Sialkot. Defence officials confirmed the destruction of key Pakistani installations. The Indian government stated the response matched Pakistan’s aggression in both scale and intensity. (PC: IAI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met all three service chiefs on Friday amid the sharpest India-Pakistan escalation in nearly three decades. The meeting followed India’s precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor in Pakistan, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26. Pakistan responded with widespread drone and munitions assaults, repelled by India’s Akash air defence systems. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted a security review, and the Centre granted emergency powers to civil defence heads and authorised the Territorial Army’s mobilisation. The Indian Army affirmed it is fully prepared to defend the nation against any further aggression along the western front. (PC: NDTV)

India suspects Pakistan’s recent drone and missile barrage may have been a probing action to test air defences, rather than a full-scale assault. On May 8, hundreds of drones targeted 36 Indian locations but were largely repelled. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed the attacks likely aimed to gather intelligence on detection zones and response capabilities. Preliminary forensic analysis suggests the use of Turkish-origin Songar drones with weak payloads. Defence sources said Pakistan’s tactics appeared designed to map vulnerabilities ahead of possible future escalations. The move follows India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack. (PC: PTI)

The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan has entered a new phase with the world’s first drone war between nuclear-armed rivals. After India accused Pakistan of launching drone and missile strikes on military bases, Pakistan claimed to have shot down 25 Indian drones. India responded with precision drone strikes, escalating tensions further. Experts say this technological shift, involving loitering munitions, surveillance drones, and stand-off attacks, reduces human risk but increases the chances of miscalculation. With both sides integrating unmanned systems into military doctrine, global observers warn the conflict is at a critical tipping point with unpredictable consequences. (PC: Getty Images)

The Indian government has extended the closure of 24 airports till May 14 due to rising tensions with Pakistan following the foiled drone and missile attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed the move, citing heightened security risks. Airports shut include Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaisalmer, Leh, and others in border states. Major airlines have canceled flights and issued advisories. Delhi IGI airport remains operational with tightened protocols. Over 130 flights were canceled on Friday alone. The airspace alert follows Pakistan's use of civilian aircraft during its drone assault, heightening safety concerns for passengers. (PC: Hindustan Times)