Operation Sindoor LIVE: Blasts in Jammu region; total blackout in Srinagar
Govt says Pakistan launched drones and missiles towards military bases in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, and India successfully foiled attacks
India has said that Pakistan military deployed around 300-400 drones, likely made in Turkey, to unleash an attack on over 25 Indian cities in the intervening night of May 8-9.
At a Ministry of External Affairs press briefing on Friday evening, the government said Pakistan did not close its airspace, and used civilian planes as shields. The govt said Pakistan launched drones and missiles towards military bases in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, and India successfully foiled the attacks.
An armed UAV of Pakistan also attempted to target Bathinda military station, which was quickly detected and neutralised, the govt said.
Earlier, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday (May 9) said it has foiled an infiltration bid from across the International Border in Jammu, killing at least seven terrorists and destroying a Pak Rangers' post.
The terrorists were engaged around 11 pm on Thursday in Samba district after a “big group” of theirs was detected by the “surveillance grid”. This infiltration bid was supported by fire from Pakistan Rangers post at Dhandhar, a BSF spokesperson said.
He said the troops neutralised the infiltration bid, killing “at least” seven terrorists and causing “extensive” damage to the Dhandhar post. Officials said there could be more terrorists, who could have been neutralised.
IPL suspended
The Indian Premier League (IPL) was on Friday suspended indefinitely due to the escalating military confrontation between India and Pakistan with a BCCI official saying that continuing the event in the current situation would not look appropriate.
A cloud of uncertainty had loomed over the future of the ongoing edition since the cancellation of Thursday's match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala midway following air raid alerts in neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot.
“It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war,” a BCCI official told PTI, confirming the suspension of the high-profile league, which was to wind up on May 25 in Kolkata as per the original schedule. Twelve league matches and four knockout games are left to be played.
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- 8 May 2025 11:52 PM IST
BCAS bans visitors' entry at airport terminal buildings; enhances security
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Thursday banned entry of visitors to the terminal building of airports and also made secondary ladder point checking compulsory for all flights as part of enhanced security arrangements.
The detailed advisory comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated.
"In view of the recent attack in Pahalgam and subsequent surcharged security scenario, it is necessary to enhance security measures at all the civil aviation installations like airports, airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, aviation training institutes... so that no untoward incident takes place in the country," BCAS said in an advisory.
As part of stepping up security arrangements, the agency has made Secondary Ladder Point Checking (SLPC) compulsory for all flights at all airports.
Generally, it refers to checking passengers and their hand baggage just before boarding a flight. This is in addition to the primary security checks.
Besides, the entry of visitors to the terminal building of the airports and sale of visitor entry tickets has been banned.
Ensuring 100 per cent serviceability of all CCTVs at airports and "deployment of in-flight security officers in flights based on prioritisation/randomisation" are among the other directions.
Also, BCAS has suggested enhanced security measures and surveillance at city side of airports in coordination with local police.
Among other measures, the aviation security watchdog has called for thorough scrutiny of PNR (Passenger Name Record), passenger and cargo manifest as well as full search of aircraft and catering services of planes.
The directions include enhanced security measures and surveillance at cargo and general aviation terminals.
- 8 May 2025 11:37 PM IST
Saudi junior foreign minister in Delhi on unannounced visit
Saudi Arabia's deputy foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir landed in Delhi on Thursday to meet India's top leadership with a focus on de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Al-Jubeir, on an unannounced visit to New Delhi, is learnt to have carried a message from the Saudi leadership.
The Saudi minister held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed the situation that has developed since India's military strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir early Wednesday.
"A good meeting with @AdelAljubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia this morning," Jaishankar said in a social media post.
"Shared India's perspectives on firmly countering terrorism," he said.
The Saudi deputy foreign minister arrived in India hours after Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi flew into New Delhi late Wednesday for a previously scheduled visit to co-chair a meeting of the bilateral joint commission with Jaishankar.
In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in PoK and Pakistan, including Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India decided to carry out the "proportionate" strikes to bring the perpetrators and planners of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack to justice, as there was "no demonstrable step" from Pakistan to act against terrorist infrastructure on territories under its control.
