Operation Sindoor: What happened overnight?

Pakistani Retaliation

• Launched Fatah-II ballistic missile targeting Delhi, intercepted in Sirsa, Haryana.
• Conducted drone strikes on 26 Indian locations (Jammu & Kashmir to Gujarat), targeting military and civilian sites; most intercepted by S-400, MR-SAM, and Barak-8 systems.
• Drones included Turkish-Asisguard Songar models; 300–400 deployed over two days.
• No confirmed use of cruise missiles or naval “cruisers”; term likely a misreport of missile/drone activity.

Aerial Engagements

• Earlier dogfight (May 7–8) involved 125 Indian and Pakistani jets using long-range missiles (e.g., Chinese PL-15); Pakistan claimed downing five Indian jets, including a Rafale, with debris in Indian-administered Kashmir and Punjab.
• Unconfirmed reports of new dogfight overnight; Pakistani jets reportedly spotted over Delhi airspace, but no verified aerial battle on May 9–10.
• Indian Air Force debunked claims of S-400 destruction in Adampur.

Indian Counterstrikes

• Struck three Pakistani airbases—Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), Rafiqui (Shorkot) and possibly Sukkur Airport, using air-to-surface missiles and drones under Operation Sindoor.
• Indian drone destroyed a Pakistani air defense radar in Lahore; strikes targeted military and terror infrastructure.
• Ministry of Defence called strikes “measured, non-escalatory, and proportionate” in response to Pakistani attacks.

LoC Artillery Exchanges

• Heavy artillery and mortar shelling along the Line of Control in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor, and Samba sectors.
• Pakistan’s shelling killed 16 Indian civilians, including women and children; damaged a gurdwara and homes in Poonch.
• India’s counter-artillery fire responded to ceasefire violations; Pakistan reported civilian casualties from Indian shelling.
• Intermittent firing continued overnight in Uri, Poonch, Karnah, and Tangdhar.

Debris and Damage

• Missile and drone debris found across India (Punjab, Rajasthan, J&K) and Pakistan (Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi).
• Notable debris: Fatah-II missile parts in Sirsa, Chinese PL-15 missile remnants in Punjab, and Israeli-made Harop drone fragments in Pakistan.
• Debris in Ferozpur, Punjab, injured Indian civilians; in Pakistan, drone debris caused one civilian death and injuries.
• India conducting forensic analysis of drone debris to assess Pakistani capabilities.

Ongoing Engagements

• Indian air defenses intercepted Pakistani drones and missiles overnight; explosions reported in Srinagar, Jammu, Baramulla, and Jaisalmer.
• Pakistan’s air defenses downed 25–29 Indian drones; explosions in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi.
• Surface-to-air missile systems active in Srinagar; intermittent LoC firing persists.
• Blackouts imposed in Indian cities (Jalandhar, Akhnoor, Bikaner) to counter drone threats; Pakistan temporarily closed airspace, disrupting airports.

Civilian Impact in India

• Casualties: At least 16 civilians, including women and children, killed in Pakistani shelling along the LoC in sectors like Poonch, Kupwara, and Baramulla.
• Injuries: Falling drone and missile debris in Ferozpur, Punjab, injured several civilians; exact numbers unconfirmed.
• Displacement: Tens of thousands fled border areas in Jammu & Kashmir due to intense cross-border firing, with families seeking safety in relief camps.
• Infrastructure Damage: Pakistani shelling damaged civilian homes, schools, and a gurdwara in Poonch; power outages reported in affected areas.
• Disruptions: Blackouts imposed in Jalandhar, Akhnoor, and Bikaner to counter drone threats; commercial flights disrupted at northern airports like Srinagar and Jammu.
• Psychological Toll: Reports of panic and fear in border communities, with residents bracing for further escalation.

International and Diplomatic Context

• G7, U.S., China, and Russia urged restraint and dialogue; U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged both sides for de-escalation.
• Pakistan’s Prime Minister convened the National Command Authority, overseeing its nuclear arsenal, signaling heightened nuclear risks.
• Both countries’ airports faced disruptions; Pakistan’s airspace closure affected regional travel.

Conflict Background

• Triggered by April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26, prompting India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
• Pakistan’s retaliation named Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos (“Wall of Lead”), escalating tensions.

Current Status

• Situation remains volatile with ongoing interceptions and LoC clashes.
• Indian government scheduled a briefing at 10 AM IST on May 10 to provide updates.
• Nuclear escalation risks underscore need for de-escalation and diplomatic intervention.

Big salute to our armed forces, Jai Hind 🇮🇳