In a bold and coordinated military operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has struck several key airbases across Pakistan, as part of its retaliatory response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians.

The strikes, launched under Operation Sindoor, aimed to degrade Pakistan’s offensive air and drone capabilities by targeting core infrastructure. Satellite imagery from Indian and international sources confirms extensive damage to high-value assets across the affected sites.

At Bholari Airbase near Hyderabad in Sindh, satellite images from Indian firm KawaSpace on May 10 show a heavily damaged hangar close to the runway, likely used for quick-reaction operations. Reports indicate that a SAAB 2000 Erieye AWACS aircraft undergoing maintenance inside the hangar was destroyed. Casualty estimates suggest the loss of Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf and over 40 personnel, alongside four damaged drones, marking a significant hit to Pakistan’s surveillance and response capabilities.

Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, a strategic transport hub for the Pakistan Air Force, was also targeted. Satellite imagery from Chinese firm MizarVision shows damage to fuel trucks and training facilities near the apron, although key aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and IL-78 refuelers appear unaffected. The precision of the strike suggests a calculated intent to disrupt logistics rather than provoke full-scale escalation.

In southern Pakistan, Jacobabad Airbase—known for drone launch operations—was reportedly hit by missile strikes targeting UAV maintenance and command infrastructure. Indian officials have linked this strike to recent Pakistani drone activity along India’s western frontier, where 300 to 400 drones, including Turkish-made Songar models, were launched between May 8 and 9. Many of these were intercepted by India’s Barak-8 and S-400 systems.

Sargodha Airbase in Punjab, which hosts squadrons under Pakistan’s Central Air Command, was another key target. Though independent imagery is limited, defense sources suggest damage to runways and aircraft shelters. This would likely impair Pakistan’s ability to quickly deploy fighter aircraft such as the F-16 in response to future threats.

These coordinated strikes were part of a broader Indian campaign following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which India blames on Pakistan-based militants affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Resistance Front. On May 7, India launched precision strikes on multiple airbases including Chaklala, Rafiqui, Murid, and Rahim Yar Khan. The Indian government emphasized that these actions were “focused and non-escalatory,” designed to dismantle terror-linked military infrastructure while minimizing civilian harm.

Pakistan described the strikes as an act of war, reporting over two dozen civilian deaths and dozens more injured. However, India has maintained that all targets were military in nature and avoided residential areas. Satellite imagery corroborates India’s assertion that the damage was localized and strategic.

A tentative ceasefire was reached through military hotlines on May 10, following days of missile exchanges, drone interceptions, and artillery shelling. Despite the agreement, subsequent explosions were reported over Srinagar and Jammu, suggesting ongoing low-level hostilities.

International reactions have been mixed. The United States, which earlier stated the conflict was a bilateral matter, has since urged India to halt further strikes. Meanwhile, India is preparing to present evidence of Pakistan’s terror links at the UN Security Council next week. China has acknowledged damage at the Nur Khan base through satellite data but has remained diplomatically neutral.

The focus on disabling air assets and drone infrastructure highlights a shift in India’s strategic posture—toward precise, punitive actions against cross-border threats.

In a high-stakes diplomatic offensive, India is set to present new evidence of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in cross-border terrorism at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) next week. The move follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people—including several tourists—and has been attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a group India claims operates as a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

According to government sources, India’s case will be presented before the UNSC’s 1267 Sanctions Committee, which oversees international sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Al Qaeda, ISIS, and associated terror organizations. The upcoming session marks a renewed effort by India to hold Pakistan accountable on a global platform for what it describes as state-sponsored terrorism.

The Pahalgam attack is the deadliest targeting tourists in the region since 2000 and has escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Indian intelligence officials have identified four perpetrators, including two Pakistani nationals, in connection with the incident. Pakistan, however, has denied any involvement and insists that TRF is a local “forum,” not a terrorist entity.

On April 30, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar claimed that Islamabad, currently a non-permanent UNSC member, succeeded in lobbying the Council to omit any reference to TRF from a U.S.-drafted statement condemning the attack. This diplomatic manoeuvre was met with sharp criticism from New Delhi, which views it as a deliberate attempt to shield terror groups operating from Pakistani soil.

India’s diplomatic push also coincides with mounting concerns over Pakistan’s recent financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On May 9, the IMF approved a $1 billion disbursement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), in addition to a $1.3 billion loan under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). India abstained from the vote and publicly voiced fears that these funds could be misappropriated for military and terror-related activities. “Fungible inflows could be misused for military and terrorist purposes,” Indian officials cautioned, warning that such financial support could undermine global counter-terrorism efforts.

India has faced consistent challenges at the 1267 Committee, particularly due to opposition from China, a permanent UNSC member with veto power and a close ally of Pakistan. In the past, Beijing has placed repeated “technical holds” on proposals to list Pakistan-based terrorists, including LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar. Most notably, China blocked a U.S.-India proposal in 2008 to designate former Pakistani intelligence officials as global terrorists.

With China’s support for Pakistan likely to continue, Indian officials anticipate resistance during next week’s proceedings. Nonetheless, they view the upcoming meeting as a crucial opportunity to spotlight Pakistan’s alleged duplicity and galvanize international support for stricter accountability.

“The world cannot continue to look away as terror proxies exploit political and financial cover,” an Indian diplomatic source said. “The cost of inaction will be paid not just in South Asia, but globally.”

The outcome of India’s efforts at the UNSC could have far-reaching implications—not only for its bilateral relations with Pakistan, but also for the credibility of international counter-terrorism frameworks. As tensions simmer and global scrutiny mounts, all eyes will be on the deliberations at the 1267 Committee in the coming days.

Just hours after a ceasefire agreement between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan was announced on May 10, Pakistan violated the truce with fresh airspace intrusions and ceasefire breaches. In a swift and strategic reaction, the Indian Army intensified its counter-offensive under Operation Sindoor, signaling a firm and decisive shift in India’s border posture.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi convened a high-level security review with top commanders overseeing the western sector in the early hours of May 11. The meeting resulted in the authorization of kinetic counteractions against any further ceasefire violations, effectively empowering field commanders to act swiftly and proportionately.

The violations included multiple drone incursions and missile attacks targeting Indian military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. The Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) confirmed that these threats were intercepted with precision, and no casualties were reported. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later addressed the media, affirming that India’s armed forces are delivering an “adequate and appropriate response” to Pakistan’s provocations.

These developments come in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7, 2025, in response to Pakistan’s earlier offensive—Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos. The Pakistani operation, which involved F-16s, JF-17s, and precision-guided munitions, targeted 26 Indian sites, causing limited damage. India’s counterstrike, using advanced BrahMos, SCALP, and Spice-2000 missiles, inflicted considerable damage on Pakistani military infrastructure.

While the ceasefire agreement on May 10 had raised hopes for de-escalation, Pakistan’s immediate violation has reignited tensions. The situation remains volatile, with Indian Air Force sources indicating that a comprehensive briefing on the status and objectives of Operation Sindoor will be provided soon.

General Dwivedi, who became COAS on June 30, 2024, brings deep operational experience, having served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and the head of the Northern Command. His leadership is seen as pivotal in India’s ongoing modernization and defense readiness efforts.

Despite appeals from international actors, including China, for restraint and renewed dialogue, India’s actions reflect a strategic commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty. As operations continue, the Indian military’s readiness and resolve remain central to regional stability.

Vikram Misri, the Secretary of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has reportedly locked his account on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), following a surge of personal attacks linked to recent developments along the India-Pakistan border.

Misri, a distinguished Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1989 batch, assumed the role of Foreign Secretary on July 15, 2024. The decision to lock his X account appears to be a response to the rising wave of online abuse targeting him and his family after India’s handling of a ceasefire with Pakistan came under public scrutiny.

Political figures across the spectrum have voiced their concern over the treatment of Misri. Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), strongly defended the diplomat. “Mr Vikram Misri is a decent and honest, hardworking diplomat working tirelessly for our nation. Civil servants work under the Executive and should not be blamed for decisions taken by political leadership,” Owaisi said.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Kerala unit of the Indian National Congress condemned the trolling campaign and alleged that Foreign Secretary Misri was being unfairly scapegoated. “He didn’t decide the ceasefire. It was the executive—Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Jaishankar. Now his family is being subjected to vile abuse, and he’s had to protect his tweets,” the party said in a strongly worded post.

This controversy follows a similar online backlash faced by Himanshi Narwal, the widow of an army officer, who was attacked by trolls after appealing for peace. The escalating rhetoric on social media has raised serious concerns about the politicization of non-partisan civil servants and the potential chilling effect on public service morale. Even Misri’s daughter was trolled by the people.

Foreign Secretary Misri brings with him a rich and varied diplomatic career. Apart from his roles in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office, he has served as India’s envoy in key global capitals including Brussels, Tunis, Washington D.C., and Islamabad. He was also Private Secretary to three Prime Ministers—I.K. Gujral, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi.

Born in Srinagar and educated across Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi, Misri holds a history degree from Hindu College and an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur. Before joining the civil services, he worked in advertising and film production. Known for his deep understanding of foreign policy and fluent command over multiple languages, he is also a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s India Leadership Initiative.

The incident surrounding his social media withdrawal has reignited debates about the accountability of the executive, the role of civil servants, and the toxicity of political discourse online—especially at a time of national security challenges like Operation Sindoor and heightened border tensions.

In a significant milestone for India’s defense sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today virtually inaugurated a 200-acre BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow. The advanced manufacturing unit, developed by BrahMos Aerospace—a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya—represents a major leap toward achieving self-reliance in missile production.

The inauguration, which took place at 11 AM IST, is a key development within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and reinforces India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision. With an investment of ₹300 crore, the facility is equipped to manufacture between 80 and 100 BrahMos missiles annually, including the upcoming next-generation BrahMos-NG variant.

Named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, the BrahMos missile is a cornerstone of India’s defense strategy, known for its supersonic speed of Mach 2.8 and versatility across land, sea, air, and submarine platforms. The Lucknow facility will not only scale up missile production but also facilitate critical testing procedures, bolstering India’s deterrence and strike capabilities amid rising regional tensions.

The timing of this development is strategic. Just three days ago, on May 8, India activated its Russian-made S-400 air defense system to intercept missiles from Pakistan, highlighting the urgent need for a strong and self-reliant defense infrastructure. The S-400, which has a range of 40 to 400 kilometers, is among the world’s most advanced systems and was procured under a 2018 Indo-Russian agreement.

Meanwhile, BrahMos Aerospace continues to advance next-gen technologies, working on the BrahMos-II hypersonic missile, expected to surpass Mach 5. Inspired by Russia’s 3M22 Zircon, this missile will significantly enhance India’s strike capabilities. In 2024, the Indian Navy placed an order for 220 extended-range BrahMos missiles with a reach of 800 km, with future variants expected to go up to 1,500 km.

The Lucknow node of the Defence Industrial Corridor is fast emerging as a defense production hub. Alongside the BrahMos unit, over 117 hectares have been allocated to 12 companies, including Aerolloy Technologies, whose materials have supported missions like Chandrayaan and are used in fighter aircraft. According to UPEIDA officials, 1,600 hectares have been allotted in the corridor’s first phase, attracting top-tier firms through strategic MOUs.

India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 laid the foundation for such advancements. The BrahMos facility in Lucknow not only strengthens India’s defense posture but also sends a strong message of indigenous capability and strategic autonomy at a time of complex geopolitical challenges.

In a significant security development, a Bangladeshi national claiming to be a former intelligence agent has been arrested near the Bengdubi Army Cantonment in Bagdogra, raising concerns about possible cross-border espionage.

The individual, identified as Ashraful Alam, is a resident of Rangpur district in Bangladesh. He was spotted by local residents behaving suspiciously in the MM Terai area, close to the sensitive military zone. Promptly acting on a tip-off, personnel from the 5th FOD unit of the Indian Army detained Alam and handed him over to the Bagdogra Police for further investigation.

During preliminary questioning, Alam reportedly claimed that he had served in the Bangladeshi intelligence services. He is believed to have illegally crossed into India six months ago by navigating the river border near Rajshahi. Authorities confirmed that he was not in possession of any identity documents at the time of his arrest.

Police have registered a case and plan to produce Alam before the Siliguri court on Saturday, where a request for his police remand will be submitted to enable deeper interrogation. Investigators are now working to track his activities over the past several months, especially his movements around military zones and any contacts he may have established within India.

The incident comes at a time of heightened tension between India and Pakistan, with recent military operations and drone incursions prompting increased vigilance along all borders. Intelligence agencies are reportedly assessing whether Alam’s presence in Bagdogra was a lone act or part of a coordinated intelligence effort.

Security in the area has been tightened, and central intelligence officials have been briefed on the case. The nature of Alam’s mission in India remains unclear, but authorities are treating the case as a serious national security concern.

A wave of grief swept through Trewa village in Jammu today as the nation bid farewell to Rifleman Sunil Kumar, who was killed in heavy cross-border shelling in the RS Pura sector. His mortal remains were brought home with full military honours, drawing crowds of mourners, officials, and fellow soldiers who came to pay their last respects.

Rifleman Kumar, a valiant member of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, was stationed at a forward post when enemy shelling claimed his life. His death marks another heartbreaking chapter in the ongoing tensions along the India-Pakistan border.

The village was draped in sorrow and patriotism as chants of “Shaheed Sunil Kumar Amar Rahe” echoed through the streets. A military procession accompanied his body, underscoring the solemnity and respect due to a soldier who laid down his life in defence of the nation.

Senior army officers and local government representatives attended the funeral, offering condolences and assuring continued support to the grieving family. They praised Rifleman Kumar’s courage, commitment, and dedication to duty, highlighting the immense sacrifices made by India’s armed forces.

Thousands attended the final rites, a testament to the unity and reverence felt across the region for the fallen soldier. Social and political leaders took to various platforms to express their condolences and called for reinforced border security in light of the growing threats faced by soldiers on the frontlines.

Rifleman Sunil Kumar’s ultimate sacrifice serves as a solemn reminder of the price of peace and the bravery of those who defend it. His legacy will live on in the hearts of a grateful nation.