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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Live Updates
- 8 May 2025 2:31 PM IST
Civil defence, counterig fake news discussed in PM's meeting
During the meeting several issues including strengthening of civil defence mechanisms, efforts to counter misinformation and fake news, and ensuring the security of critical infrastructure, were discussed. Ministries were also advised to maintain close coordination with state authorities and ground-level institutions.
"The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, and Secretaries from key ministries including Defence, Home Affairs, External Affairs, Information & Broadcasting, Power, Health, and Telecommunications," stated a government release.
"The Prime Minister called for continued alertness, institutional synergy, and clear communication as the nation navigates a sensitive period. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to national security, operational preparedness, and citizen safety," it added.
- 8 May 2025 2:21 PM IST
PM Modi holds meeting with senior officials in Delhi
Prime Minister Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with Secretaries of various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India to review national preparedness and inter-ministerial coordination in light of recent developments concerning national security.
PM stressed the need for seamless coordination among ministries and agencies to uphold operational continuity and institutional resilience. He reviewed the planning and preparation by ministries to deal with the current situation
- 8 May 2025 2:14 PM IST
Despite support to Centre, Opposition unhappy with PM skipping all party meet
Although the Congress and other INDIA bloc members pledged full support to the Centre and the armed forces at the all party meeting on Operation Sindoor, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said after the meeting that his party was disappointed with the Prime Minister’s absence from the meeting.
Speaking with reporters after attending the meeting, Kharge said "We wanted the PM to participate and briefly talk about the action against terrorism. We salute the jawans who have shown bravery. We wanted him to come and brief us but he did not. He had not even attend the last meeting."
All parties of the INDIA bloc and other parties as well spoke in one voice, and said, "you move ahead and we are with you in the decisions you take and are standing with the army", the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said.
The PM has stated he has given full authority to the army to take whatever action it wants, Kharge said.
"Defence Minister (Rajnath Singh) said this is a sensitive time and in the interest of the country, detailed questions are not to be asked that are defence secrets," he said.
Those present at the meeting also raised the issue of security of the people living in the border areas, he said.
Those who have lost their lives in shelling in Jammu and Kashmir should be taken care of, Kharge added.
"The government assured us that they would take all kinds of steps," he said.
Rahul Gandhi demanded that a Parliament session be called so that a good message goes outside, Kharge informed.
- 8 May 2025 1:52 PM IST
Take Pakistan to task at UN: Asaduddin Owaisi to Centre
AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has urged the Centre that India must make a strong representation in the UN to have The Resistance Force (TRF), the terror outfit responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, designated as a banned terrorist outfit Internationally. Owaisi said similar requests must be made by India to the US, UK and other nations and that a case must also be made out at the appropriate forum to have Pakistan placed in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. Union defence minister Rajnath Singh has assured Opposition parties that the Centre will keep them informed of all developments linked with the ongoing tensions with Pakistan and thanked them for rising above political differences and standing with the government and the Indian Armed Forces in the fight against Pakistan and terrorism.
- 8 May 2025 1:48 PM IST
Operation Sindoor: Opposition backs all measures taken by Centre at all party meet
The all party meeting convened by the Centre on Operation Sindoor has concluded. During the meeting the Opposition parties has pledged support to all the measures taken by the Centre in relation to the military strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan. They have also requested the government to ensure safe evacuation of Indian civilians living in villages and towns, particularly in Poonch- Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir along the LoC and the International Border with Pakistan. They also urged the Centre to provide proper rehabilitation to families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed during the ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
