In a decisive demonstration of air defense capabilities, the Indian Air Force activated the S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ missile system to intercept and neutralize multiple aerial threats late on May 7, amid rapidly escalating military tensions with Pakistan.

The activation of the Russian-made long-range air defense system follows Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 6, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). This retaliatory strike was in direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, including one Nepali citizen.

On the night of May 7–8, Pakistani forces reportedly launched drones and missiles aimed at key Indian military installations in Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Thanks to India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and the S-400 system, the attacks were effectively neutralized, with debris currently being recovered from multiple sites.

The S-400 system, which boasts a range of up to 400 kilometers and can track and engage dozens of targets simultaneously, has been fully operational in three squadrons since 2025. It previously proved its effectiveness during the 2023 Poorvi Akash exercises near the Chinese border.

Simultaneously, Pakistan has escalated cross-border artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), targeting Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri, leading to the tragic deaths of 16 civilians, including three women and five children.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asserting India’s firm stance against terrorism and its right to defend its territory. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level security meeting to assess the ongoing situation, receiving support from political leaders, including Puducherry CM N Rangasamy.

India maintains that its military actions are proportional and justified responses to unprovoked aggression and terror activities emanating from across the border. As international observers urge restraint, the deployment of the S-400 system highlights the critical role of advanced defense infrastructure in safeguarding national security and regional peace.

In the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Government of India has launched a sweeping response under the banner of Operation Sindoor, reflecting a hardened and strategic national security stance. The offensive, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), marks one of the most significant escalations between India and Pakistan in recent years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuing his leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government, has positioned the response as a clear message to adversaries. In a May 7 briefing, officials detailed how nine locations linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group blamed for the Pahalgam massacre, were struck using coordinated drone and missile strikes.

The Indian Air Force and other defense services neutralized key Pakistani air defense systems, including in sensitive areas such as Lahore, after Islamabad attempted drone and missile attacks on Indian installations across the northern and western borders. This move follows weeks of cross-border shelling, which claimed 16 civilian lives on the Indian side, including women and children.

Beyond the battlefield, India has taken sharp diplomatic steps. These include the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and the closure of the Attari land border crossing. The government also convened an all-party meeting on May 8, signaling a desire to build political consensus around its security strategy.

Public reaction, particularly from the families of those killed in Pahalgam, has largely supported the government’s approach. “This operation has restored dignity to the lives lost,” said Rajesh Narwal, father of an Indian Navy officer slain in the attack.

The government’s approach also includes cybersecurity initiatives, following confirmed cyber intrusions by Pakistan Cyber Force. Defense and cybersecurity officials are now working to fortify Indian defense networks, indicating a broader, multi-domain response to Pakistan’s provocations.

Observers note that Operation Sindoor bears strategic resemblance to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, another Modi-era initiative that focused on punitive yet precise counter-terrorism action. Internationally, the United States has urged restraint, with Secretary of State consultations underway between the national security advisors of both India and Pakistan.

As tensions remain high, the Indian government insists it is not seeking war but is committed to defending national sovereignty and civilian lives. The blend of military precision, diplomatic firmness, and technological preparedness signals a new chapter in India’s counter-terror policy—one shaped by both experience and resolve.

In a bold and targeted counter-terrorism move, India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, delivering a crippling blow to Pakistan-based terrorist outfits. The operation, launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre, which killed 26 civilians, primarily tourists, marks one of India’s most significant military offensives in recent years.

Intelligence sources have suggested that Rauf Azhar, a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and one of the masterminds behind the 1999 IC814 hijacking, is believed to have been killed in the strike. His elimination, though not officially confirmed, is being hailed as a long-overdue step toward justice for the 2002 murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl.

Operation Sindoor, launched at 1:05 AM on May 7, targeted nine terror camps in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The targets included facilities run by Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Notably, the Subhan Allah complex in Bahawalpur was heavily hit, resulting in the reported deaths of ten family members of JeM chief Masood Azhar, as per his own admission reported by BBC Urdu.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that all strikes were aimed solely at terror infrastructure, not civilian zones. Despite this assurance, tensions have spiked along the Line of Control (LoC), with Pakistan initiating cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Indian forces retaliated promptly, with no casualties reported.

Rauf Azhar, long designated a terrorist by the US Department of the Treasury, was deeply involved in planning the IC814 hijacking that forced India to release JeM founder Masood Azhar in 1999. His name has also been linked to the gruesome beheading of journalist Daniel Pearl in Karachi in 2002. While Khalid Sheikh Mohammed of Al-Qaeda was the primary executioner, Azhar was allegedly instrumental in the orchestration of the abduction, along with JeM operative Amjad Farooqi.

Pearl’s killing, a symbol of terrorism’s global reach, had long remained an unresolved chapter in international justice. The Sindh High Court and later the Supreme Court of Pakistan overturned the conviction of Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main accused, in 2020 and 2021, sparking condemnation from Pearl’s family and the US government.

If confirmed, Rauf Azhar’s death brings a significant measure of justice in the case. Judea Pearl, father of the slain journalist, has persistently called for accountability, and the US has reaffirmed its support for the cause as recently as 2025.

Beyond its military precision, Operation Sindoor signals India’s shift toward preemptive and retaliatory strikes as part of a robust counter-terrorism doctrine. JeM has claimed responsibility for major attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Parliament attack, 2016 Pathankot attack, and 2019 Pulwama bombing.

The operation has drawn a spectrum of reactions—families of Pahalgam victims lauded the move, while concerns over escalation loom large. Meanwhile, explosions in Lahore and temporary disruptions in airspace highlight the broader impact of the strike.

Operation Sindoor may reshape regional security narratives, with both India and the international community signaling a firm stance against terror safe havens. While Pakistan has accused India of targeting civilian zones—a claim India denies—the message from New Delhi is clear: acts of terror will be met with decisive action.

As India monitors the LoC and diplomatic tensions escalate, the success of Operation Sindoor could mark the beginning of a new strategic phase in South Asia’s anti-terror campaign.

In the wake of India’s precision missile strikes under Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has come under scrutiny for allegedly spreading disinformation. Indian defense authorities have categorically dismissed ISPR’s claims as false and misleading, accusing Pakistan’s military media wing of fabricating reports to create panic and confusion.

The ISPR has circulated reports claiming that the Pakistan Air Force struck the Srinagar Airbase, attacked 15 locations inside India, and destroyed an Indian Army Brigade Headquarters. Indian forces have strongly refuted all these claims, labeling them as part of a targeted propaganda campaign.

Operation Sindoor was launched early on Wednesday in retaliation for the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Indian missile strikes were directed at terror camps and infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), from where, according to Indian officials, attacks on India were being orchestrated.

Following the strikes, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned India’s actions, calling them an “act of war” and asserting that Pakistan had the right to deliver a “befitting reply.” He claimed that Indian missiles struck five locations within Pakistan, a charge that has further escalated rhetoric between the two nations.

In response to the April 22 attack, India also initiated a range of diplomatic and strategic measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah land border crossing, and downgrading diplomatic ties with Islamabad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a meeting with top defense officials, granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the scale, targets, and timing of India’s response. The government’s stance underscores its resolve to confront cross-border terrorism with decisive military and strategic actions.

The ongoing narrative war between India and Pakistan now extends beyond the battlefield, with information and disinformation playing a key role in shaping public perception amid a volatile and rapidly evolving security environment in South Asia.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following reports that Pakistan’s HQ-9 air defense missile systems suffered significant damage in the aftermath of India’s recent military action. The HQ-9P variant, supplied by China and central to Pakistan’s air defense strategy, was reportedly compromised during the developments surrounding India’s Operation Sindoor.

Launched on May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor involved precision missile strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was carried out in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people. Indian authorities described the strikes as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” clarifying that they deliberately avoided Pakistani military installations.

The Pakistan Army, however, claimed that 31 people were killed and 46 injured in the Indian strikes. The collateral impact reportedly included the damaging of HQ-9 systems, known for their capabilities against aircraft within a 125 km range and cruise missiles up to 25 km. These systems, technologically akin to Russia’s S-300, represent a critical component of Pakistan’s aerial defense network.

The aftermath of the operation has seen intensified cross-border skirmishes. Indian forces have reported unprovoked firing from Pakistani positions in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors, prompting retaliatory measures. Simultaneously, civilian life and infrastructure have been significantly affected. India has closed 25 air routes and canceled over 300 flights—140 of them in and out of Delhi. Pakistan has responded by completely shutting down its airspace.

The rising instability has also led to domestic and international responses. Kashmir University has postponed all examinations until May 10, and Singapore has issued travel advisories for both India and Pakistan, signaling international concern over the deteriorating security climate in South Asia.

The reported damage to the HQ-9 systems not only exposes vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defenses but also adds a new dimension to the unfolding military and diplomatic tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

In response to widespread public criticism, Reliance Industries Limited has officially withdrawn its trademark application for the term “Operation Sindoor,” a phrase recently etched into the national consciousness due to its association with a decisive Indian military response to terrorism.

The phrase gained prominence after the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor — a retaliatory strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 Indian and foreign tourists. The operation has since been hailed as a symbol of national resolve and military precision.

According to Reliance Industries, the trademark application was filed by a junior employee at Jio Studios, a company subsidiary, without proper authorization. In a statement issued today, the conglomerate emphasized that it had no intention of commercializing a term so deeply tied to national sacrifice and military valor.

“Reliance Industries and all its stakeholders are incredibly proud of Operation Sindoor, which came about in response to a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam,” the statement read. “Our commitment to the motto of ‘India First’ remains unwavering.”

The attempted trademarking drew immediate backlash on social media and in public discourse, with many accusing the corporation of inappropriately seeking to profit from a military action that has become a rallying point for Indian unity. Critics argued that such terms should remain part of the national domain, not subjected to corporate claims.

Recognizing the sensitivity of the matter, Reliance Industries moved quickly to retract the application and issue an apology, reaffirming its alignment with the nation’s values and the armed forces.

Operation Sindoor itself has been lauded by leaders across the political spectrum. Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the mission for delivering a “clear message” to India’s adversaries, while Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called it a “turning point” in India’s fight against terrorism.

By stepping back from the trademark claim, Reliance Industries has been credited with making a “mature and respectful” decision that upholds the sanctity of national symbols and honors the memory of those who lost their lives in Pahalgam.

Widespread panic gripped the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Karachi on Thursday following a series of explosions believed to be linked to India’s ongoing Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In Lahore, three loud explosions were reported on Walton Road early in the day, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering mass evacuation as terrified residents fled their homes. Local sources also reported blasts near Askari 5 and the Naval College area, with additional explosions heard in the Burki and Naseerabad districts.

In Karachi, a blast near Sharafi Goth in Malir reportedly resulted from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strike that hit a building deep inside the city. Although official confirmation is awaited, videos and images circulating on social media show smoke rising from several areas and civilians seeking shelter.

Samaa TV and MM News cited local witnesses and unverified footage indicating multiple strike points. In response to the escalating situation, commercial flights at Lahore and Sialkot airports were suspended until noon, underscoring rising national security concerns.

These developments come in the wake of India’s precision airstrikes launched under Operation Sindoor on May 7. The operation, a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian civilians, has so far targeted known terror hubs of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba in Muridke.

While India has officially confirmed strikes on nine key targets in PoJK and Punjab province of Pakistan, unconfirmed reports suggest that Indian drones may have also struck sites in Attock, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Mianwali, Chor, and Karachi.

As uncertainty grips major urban centers in Pakistan, tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations continue to escalate. Pakistani authorities have yet to provide an official statement on the blasts, but social media posts from local journalists show civilians pouring onto streets and reports of emergency services being overwhelmed.

The situation remains volatile as global powers urge restraint and call for urgent diplomatic engagement to prevent a wider regional conflict.

Newly released satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies, accessed by Reuters, confirms massive destruction at Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) strongholds in Bahawalpur and Muridke, respectively. The visuals, taken before and after India’s May 7 precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, provide irrefutable evidence of structural devastation at the heart of Pakistan’s terror infrastructure.

The operation was launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, mostly tourists. Among the key targets was the Markaz Subhan Allah mosque complex in Bahawalpur, which served as JeM’s operational headquarters since 2015. The satellite images show the mosque’s dome pierced by missile impact, collapsed buildings, and widespread debris.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army confirmed during a press briefing that the strike on Bahawalpur hit the residences of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar, his family, and the group’s de facto leadership. “This was a facility where radicalization, arms training, and anti-India sermons were conducted routinely,” she stated, calling the destruction a significant blow to JeM’s operations.

The Markaz Subhan Allah complex had long been linked to terror planning, including the Pulwama suicide bombing in 2019. It also served as a site for physical, arms, and religious training of cadres who were later deployed across the region.

In Muridke, the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Markaz Taiba complex — a sprawling campus active since 2000 — suffered extensive structural damage. Pre-strike imagery showed multiple buildings used for ideological training and indoctrination, while post-strike visuals reveal large portions of the facility flattened.

Colonel Qureshi noted that Markaz Taiba, situated just 18–25 km inside Pakistan, enrolled over 1,000 students annually in various ideological and paramilitary courses. “The attackers of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, including Ajmal Kasab and David Headley, received training at this very facility,” she added.

These strikes mark a major strategic move by India to dismantle what it calls the “deep infrastructure of terrorism” supported across the border. Though Pakistani officials have called the strikes a violation of sovereignty, India maintains the action was “measured and necessary” in light of the Pahalgam massacre.

As Operation Sindoor continues, the international community remains on edge, with satellite evidence now adding powerful credibility to India’s claim of striking only terror-related assets while avoiding civilian casualties and military installations.