In a significant escalation of Indo-Pak hostilities, recent precision airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force have reportedly forced Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir to take shelter in a military bunker for several hours. The strikes targeted the Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi — a key military installation situated near Pakistan’s military headquarters — marking one of the most direct and high-stakes engagements in recent times.

These strikes were part of “Operation Sindoor,” India’s strategic response to the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Indian officials have attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed terror groups operating from across the border, prompting a swift and robust military reaction.

According to defense sources, the Indian Air Force deployed a combination of precision-guided munitions, including the supersonic BrahMos missile, French-origin HAMMER bombs, and long-range SCALP cruise missiles. These weapons reportedly struck critical components of Pakistan’s air defense system at eleven air bases, significantly impairing radar, communications, and command infrastructure. The intensity and precision of the strike reportedly created enough concern for General Munir to retreat to a fortified underground shelter, underscoring the psychological and strategic impact of the operation.

Compounding the situation is the political controversy surrounding Gen. Munir’s tenure. Initially set to retire in November 2025, his term was recently extended by three years — a move that has sparked criticism domestically and raised questions about military autonomy and succession within Pakistan’s power structure.

The latest escalation has drawn global attention, with world leaders urging restraint and dialogue. Analysts warn that the region’s security environment is on a knife’s edge, with both countries possessing nuclear capabilities. The Indian government has maintained that its actions were measured, targeting only military infrastructure linked to terror operations, while Pakistani officials have yet to issue a detailed public response.

As diplomatic backchannels open and ceasefire talks are floated by global mediators, the success and assertiveness of Operation Sindoor have established a new strategic precedent. India’s message — swift retaliation with technological precision — now sets the tone for future deterrence in a volatile neighborhood.

In a key sign of de-escalation between India and Pakistan, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has reopened 32 airports across northern and western India for civilian operations, following a temporary shutdown due to security concerns during the recent military standoff.

Also Read: 32 Airports Shut Until May 15

The airports, which include major hubs such as Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, and Jodhpur, had been closed since May 8, 2025, after India launched Operation Sindoor—a targeted military operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The closures were triggered after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 26, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, primarily tourists. In response, India conducted a series of air and missile strikes, including a direct hit on Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad—an installation critical to Pakistan’s military and nuclear command structure. The strike drew global attention, particularly after NASA’s FIRMS satellite reportedly detected significant thermal anomalies at the site.

Over 430 domestic and international flights were canceled or diverted during the airspace restrictions, with civilian air travel heavily disrupted. The AAI had earlier extended the airspace lockdown until May 15, citing continuing military risk, before reversing the decision today in light of improved conditions.

The shift follows a ceasefire agreement reached on May 1, 2025, reportedly brokered with diplomatic involvement from the United States and other international actors. AAI’s press release, issued at 12:13 PM IST, advises passengers to check directly with airlines for the latest flight updates and monitor the AAI website for regular information.

Despite the resumption of civil aviation, tensions remain. Unverified reports have emerged alleging radiation concerns at the heavily damaged Nur Khan Air Base, though no official confirmation has been made. Meanwhile, the unresolved status of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the broader Kashmir dispute continues to pose strategic challenges for both nations and the international community.

The reopening of the airspace is being cautiously welcomed as a step toward normalization, though security analysts warn that the fragile ceasefire could easily unravel without meaningful diplomatic progress.

For further information, AAI has directed inquiries to its Corporate Communication Department at 011-20818228, referencing Press Release No. 3/2025-26.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan announced that 10 satellites are currently operational to ensure India’s safety and security amid rising tensions with Pakistan. Speaking at the 5th convocation ceremony of the Central Agricultural University (CAU) in Imphal, Narayanan emphasized the indispensable role of space and surveillance technology in maintaining national defense.

“In the current geopolitical scenario, at least 10 satellites are continuously functioning for strategic purposes,” Narayanan said during his keynote address. “Monitoring India’s 7,000-kilometer-long coastline and northern borders is only possible through advanced satellite and drone technology, especially in the face of challenges from our neighbors.”

His remarks come days after the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, a decisive retaliatory strike against nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation followed a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. The Indian military reported the destruction of 11 Pakistani air bases and key terror infrastructure linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Pakistan responded with heavy shelling and drone attacks across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. However, India’s integrated air defense systems, powered in part by ISRO’s satellite network, successfully neutralized the threats. The Indian Army confirmed that the night of May 11–12 marked the first incident-free night since the operation began.

During a joint press briefing on May 11, senior defense officials including Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai, Vice Admiral A N Pramod, and Air Marshal A K Bharti outlined Operation Sindoor’s strategic gains. They confirmed that while a temporary ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10, Pakistan violated it within hours, prompting a strong Indian counter-response.

In addition to national security, Narayanan used his address to highlight ISRO’s vital contributions to agriculture, disaster management, and rural development, urging the 1,500 graduating students to contribute to India’s progress. The event, held at the College of Fisheries in Lembucherra, celebrated academic achievements and the university’s role in promoting agricultural innovation in the Northeastern region.

Narayanan, who assumed office as ISRO Chairman on January 14, 2025, concluded by encouraging the youth to align their aspirations with the nation’s evolving priorities, especially in areas where science and strategy intersect.

In a significant development following the high-impact Operation Sindoor, India has released a detailed report revealing the presence of senior Pakistani military and political officials at the funeral of Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander eliminated in the strike. The funeral was held at LeT’s headquarters in Muridke, Pakistan, days after Indian forces struck multiple terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7.

Among the attendees named in India’s dossier were Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain, Major General Rao Imran, Brigadier Mohd Furqan of the Pakistani Army, Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr. Usman Anwar, and Malik Sohaib Ahmed, a sitting member of Punjab’s Provincial Assembly. The presence of such high-ranking officials has sparked strong condemnation from Indian authorities, who cited it as “irrefutable proof” of Pakistan’s complicity in sponsoring and supporting terrorist groups like LeT.

Hafiz Abdul Rauf, one of five key LeT operatives killed in the operation, was reportedly a high-value target with deep connections to past attacks against India, including those executed by The Resistance Front, LeT’s proxy group. His funeral at Markaz Taiba, a facility infamous for training terrorists such as Ajmal Kasab and David Headley—the masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks—was marked by ceremonial honors and state-level representation.

Operation Sindoor was initiated in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians were brutally murdered by terrorists linked to LeT. The Indian military’s coordinated air and ground assaults targeted nine locations—five in PoK and four in Pakistan—crippling key LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen assets.

“This funeral was not just a mourning ceremony; it was a statement of state support,” said an Indian defense official, referring to verified visuals of Pakistani officers at the event. The compound at Muridke, long considered a nerve center for LeT activities, has been under global scrutiny, with intelligence linking it directly to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Despite being designated a terrorist group by the UN, the U.S., India, and even Pakistan itself since 2002, LeT continues to operate with virtual immunity through its charity front Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). Analysts such as Bruce Riedel have repeatedly warned that the state-sponsored infrastructure backing LeT gives it more reach and danger than even Al-Qaeda.

The fallout from Operation Sindoor has intensified Indo-Pak tensions. Pakistan invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter, claiming the right to self-defense, and reports of retaliatory shelling along the LoC have emerged, resulting in further civilian and military casualties on both sides.

India’s latest revelations are expected to fuel global criticism of Pakistan, especially ahead of FATF reviews, where Islamabad remains on the grey list. New Delhi has reiterated its call for international action against state-sponsored terrorism, demanding that the global community hold Pakistan accountable.

As global reactions begin to emerge, India’s assertive stance signals a renewed diplomatic push to isolate terrorist networks — and those who harbor them — on the international stage.