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.
Follow this space for more updates
Live Updates
- 8 May 2025 7:31 AM IST
Blackout drill resumes in Amritsar, residents asked to remain indoors
Shortly after the lights went out in Amritsar as part of a nationwide civil defence mock drill, the district administration again carried out a blackout rehearsal in the early hours of Thursday, urging residents to remain indoors and not panic.
The drill began around 1.30 am.
"Taking utmost caution, the Amritsar district administration has again started the blackout drill," said a message shared by the Amritsar District Public Relations Officer.
"Please stay at home, do not panic, do not gather outside your homes, and keep the outside lights of your houses switched off," it said.
The drill was earlier carried out in Amritsar from 10:30 pm to 11 pm.
- 8 May 2025 7:28 AM IST
All border districts of Punjab put on high alert, all public events cancelled
All of Punjab's border districts have been put on high alert with all public events cancelled, Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said on Wednesday.
Arora lauded the Indian armed forces for its strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and said all three crore Punjabis stand firmly with the army.
"Whenever the unity, integrity, and security of the nation is threatened, Punjabis always step forward, even sacrificing their lives," Arora said in a statement.
"Punjab shares a 532-kilometre border with Pakistan. Therefore, during any military tension, the role of the Punjab government becomes extremely crucial. All districts near the border have been placed on high alert, and for public safety, the government has cancelled all types of public events," Arora said.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann postponed his anti-drug events in SBS Nagar district and Jalandhar, which were to take place on Wednesday.
Arora said Punjab Police as the second line of defence is also fully prepared.
"Punjab Police is providing full support to the Indian Army and working together on future preparations," he said.
Arora also appealed to the people of Punjab to strictly adhere to all government orders to ensure public safety.
- 8 May 2025 7:27 AM IST
Shelling by Pak troops in JK's Kupwara
Pakistani troops resorted to cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir for the second consecutive day on Thursday, a day after the Indian armed forces targeted terror infrastructure in the neighbouring country as part of 'Operation Sindoor'.
The Pakistani side targeted civilian areas in the Karnah area, firing shells and mortars after midnight, officials said.
The Indian armed forces retaliated effectively against the unprovoked firing.
There are no reports of any casualties so far.
Most of the civilian population in Karnah moved to safer areas on Wednesday after Pakistani troops resorted to shelling following India's 'Operation Sindoor'.
