May 09, Live update- 12:35 AM IST: In tough times, India’s strength and unity shine through its diversity and shared values. We stand united in supporting our armed forces as they protect our nation and ideals- Gautam Adani
May 09, Live update- 12:30 AM IST: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has ordered increased security at all Indian airports and airlines. This includes mandatory Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) for all passengers, a ban on visitor entry to terminal buildings, and the deployment of Air Marshals as needed.
May 09, Live update- 12:25 AM IST: All educational institutions in Jammu & Kashmir will be closed on May 9th and 10th as a precaution.
May 09, Live update- 12:20 AM IST: Indian Army shot down two Pakistani drones in Naushera, Jammu and Kashmir, with heavy artillery fire exchanged between both sides.
May 9, Live update- 12:15 AM IST: Due to increased security measures, SpiceJet advises passengers to arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure for smooth check-in and boarding.
May 08, Live update- 11:35 PM IST: India has destroyed the air defense systems in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Sargodha, making it easier for the Indian Air Force to carry out airstrikes in these areas.
May 08, Live update- 11:30 PM IST: India reports no casualties or damage from Pakistan’s missile and drone attacks, showcasing the superiority of its defense system.
May 08, Live update- 11:24 PM IST: Indian forces shot down another Pakistani fighter jet in Akhnoor, J&K.
May 08, Live update- 11:15 PM IST: A Pakistani Air Force JF-17 pilot has been detained in Lathi, Rajasthan, following the downing of their aircraft by Indian forces.
May 08, Live update- 11:10 PM IST: The Indian Army has officially confirmed that Pakistan attempted to breach Indian airspace at multiple locations. However, all aerial attacks have been successfully destroyed by the Indian forces so far.
May 08, Live update- 11:00 PM IST: The Indian Air Force shot down another Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet near Lathi, Rajasthan, further intensifying the escalating conflict between the two nations.
May 08, Live update- 10:56 PM IST: Indian missiles have successfully destroyed multiple AWACS air defense systems at various strategic locations in Pakistan, significantly weakening their aerial surveillance and defense capabilities.
May 8, Live update- 10:00 PM IST: Mosques in Lahore are using their loudspeakers to urgently instruct residents to turn off lights in homes, businesses, and other locations amid missile attacks from India.
New Delhi, May 8, 2025, 9:49 PM IST — In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan launched missile and drone attacks targeting multiple locations in India’s northwestern states, including Jammu, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, on the night of May 8. India’s robust air defense systems neutralized most threats, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly destroyed two Pakistani fighter jets during intense aerial engagements. This development follows India’s Operation Sindoor, which struck terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and marks a critical juncture in the worst Indo-Pak conflict in over two decades. Below is a detailed, SEO-optimized report on the missile attacks and India’s counterstrikes, optimized for the keyword “Pakistan missile attack on Indian northwestern states.”
Pakistan’s Missile and Drone Offensive
On May 8, 2025, Pakistan escalated its retaliation for India’s Operation Sindoor by launching a series of missile and drone attacks aimed at military and civilian targets across northwestern India. According to India Today, the attacks targeted 15 cities, including:
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Jammu: Jammu’s Satwari Airport, a dual-use civilian-military facility, was hit with 10–15 rockets and drones, triggering air raid sirens and a complete blackout around the airstrip. India’s S-400 Triumf air defense system intercepted eight missiles, preventing damage. Drones were also neutralized over Jammu city, including in Satwari, Sunjuwan, Janipur, and Chowadhi areas.
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Punjab: Cities like Amritsar, Pathankot, and Chandigarh faced missile and drone incursions targeting airbases and radar installations. India’s Integrated Counter UAS Grid downed 15 missiles, averting significant damage.
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Himachal Pradesh and Other Areas: Srinagar, Leh, and border districts like Samba, Kathua, and Rajasthan reported drone sightings and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border. Heavy artillery fire targeted civilian areas in Poonch, Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Rajouri, and Mendhar, killing 13 Indian civilians and injuring 59.
Pakistan’s military employed a mix of kamikaze drones, possibly including Turkish Bayraktar TB2s, and long-range missiles, aiming to disrupt India’s military infrastructure. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas, including the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir, where three Sikhs were reportedly killed.web:1 The attacks prompted widespread panic, with schools closed, flights canceled by Air India, IndiGo, and Qatar Airways, and residents in border areas like Poonch evacuating to bunkers.
India’s Counterstrike: Two Pakistani Jets Downed
In response to Pakistan’s aggression, the Indian Air Force scrambled fighter jets, including Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft, to repel the incursions. India claims to have destroyed two Pakistani fighter jets during a high-intensity aerial engagement along the LoC, marking a significant blow to Pakistan’s air capabilities. While India has not officially specified the jet types, sources suggest they may have been Chinese-origin JF-17s or J-10Cs, given Pakistan’s air force composition.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) confirmed India’s successful defense, stating that the IAF neutralized Pakistan’s attempts to “engage military targets” using advanced air defense systems and fighter jets. The destruction of the two Pakistani jets occurred during a “dogfight” involving 125 aircraft from both sides, described by a Pakistani security source as one of the “largest and longest in recent aviation history,” with missile exchanges at distances exceeding 160 kilometers.web:2 India’s Ministry of Defence emphasized that no IAF jets were lost in the engagement, debunking Pakistan’s claims of downing five Indian jets, including three Rafales, as “disinformation.”
Context: Operation Sindoor and Rising Tensions
The missile attacks stem from India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 6–7, 2025, targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Lahore, Ahmadpur East) and PoK (Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh). The 23-minute operation, involving Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and HAROP and SkyStriker drones, killed over 100 terrorists linked to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives.web:4,12,18 Pakistan denied hosting terrorist infrastructure, claiming 31 civilian deaths, including children, and labeling the strikes an “act of war.”
Pakistan’s retaliation began with heavy LoC shelling on May 7, killing 12 Indian civilians, and escalated with the May 8 missile and drone attacks. Pakistan’s military claimed to have downed 25 Indian kamikaze drones and destroyed an Indian brigade headquarters, though India refuted these claims, citing a lack of credible evidence.web:1,5,23 Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies confirmed damage in Bahawalpur and Muridke but showed no military targets hit, supporting India’s narrative of precision strikes.
Delhi Capitals vs. Punjab Kings IPL Match Cancelled
The escalating conflict has disrupted the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, with the Delhi Capitals vs. Punjab Kings match, scheduled for May 8 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, cancelled due to security concerns. The decision was made following Pakistan’s missile and drone attacks on northwestern states, including nearby areas in Himachal Pradesh. Authorities enforced a complete shutdown of the stadium, citing risks from potential aerial threats and the closure of Dharamshala’s airport amid airspace restrictions. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the match will be rescheduled at a safer venue, likely in southern India, reflecting the broader impact of the conflict on sporting events and civilian life.
Civilian and Regional Impact
The missile attacks have deepened the humanitarian crisis along the India-Pakistan border:
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India: 13 civilians killed and 59 injured since May 7, with Poonch and Jammu bearing the brunt. Residents like Mohammad Mashooq in Poonch reported destroyed homes, forcing families to flee. Panic buying in Punjab and blackouts in Jammu and Rajasthan reflect heightened fear.
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Pakistan: 31 civilian deaths and 57 injuries from India’s strikes, with damaged mosques in Muzaffarabad and Bahawalpur fueling public outrage. Pakistan’s airspace closure disrupted commercial flights, and its economy, already fragile, faces further strain.
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Kashmir: The disputed region remains the epicenter, with both sides accusing each other of targeting civilians. The UN is investigating strike sites in PoK, while cross-border shelling continues.