India launched precision air-to-surface missile strikes on three Pakistani airbases—Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, Rafiqi in Shorkot, and Murid in Chakwal—overnight. The Pakistan Army confirmed the attacks, which India executed in retaliation for Pakistan’s brazen drone strikes on 26 Indian locations on Friday, marking a dangerous new phase in the ongoing conflict.
Pakistan’s drone assault targeted sites from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat, probing Indian defenses along the Line of Control and International Border. India’s advanced air defense systems, including the S-400 Triumf, neutralized all threats, intercepting drones and six ballistic missiles aimed at Punjab.
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No casualties were reported, but blackouts hit cities like Jalandhar, and 32 Indian airports were closed until May 14. India condemned the attacks as a “grave escalation,” linking them to Pakistan’s retaliation for India’s Operation Sindoor, which destroyed nine terrorist sites in Pakistan on May 7–8 following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
In response, India’s overnight strikes targeted key Pakistan Air Force (PAF) facilities. Senior journalist sources indicated the use of precision-guided missiles, likely delivered by Rafale jets or Harop drones, to degrade Pakistan’s aerial capabilities.
Eyewitnesses reported a fireball and explosions at Nur Khan, though Pakistan’s DG ISPR claimed PAF assets remained unharmed. Unverified X posts described chaos near the bases, but no independent imagery confirms the damage. Pakistan acknowledged the missile strikes, a shift from past denials, signaling the attack’s impact.
The strikes mark a shift from India’s focus on terrorist targets to military infrastructure, raising fears of a broader conflict. The U.S., China, and UN have urged de-escalation, with the U.S. Consulate in Lahore ordering staff to shelter in place. Pakistan’s Defence Minister vowed a “measured response,” while India warned of further action if provoked. Heavy shelling along the LoC has killed civilians, displacing border communities.
Analysts warn that targeting airbases risks spiraling beyond the tit-for-tat exchanges seen in 2019’s Balakot strike. India’s superior air defenses and precision capabilities contrast with Pakistan’s strained HQ-9 systems, but both nations’ nuclear arsenals loom large. Diplomatic mediation is critical to prevent miscalculation, though nationalist rhetoric complicates efforts. The region remains volatile, with the world watching anxiously.
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