India Pakistan highlights: Govt says armed forces are maintaining strong vigil

The deputy commissioner of Ludhiana said that a red alert has been issued for the district and all residents are advised to stay indoor.

Earlier, a red alert was also issued for Faridkot. Several alerts were also issued for many Rajasthan districts, including Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, etc.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg, with the chiefs of all three defence services, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, and defence minister Rajnath Singh.

The Indian Army Air Defence system neutralized Pakistani Kamikaze drones over Amritsar, news agency PTI reported, defence sources.

Faridkot district administration has also issued a red alert for an air attack. Residents have been asked to stay indoors and not step out unless any emergency. 

Red alerts have also been issued for several districts in Rajasthan, including Pokhran, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Sri Ganganagar. Pakistani drones have been repeatedly trying to infiltrate India via Punjab airspace.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson said, "Pakistan is forcing a full-fledged war on India. We had taken a selective action, but Pakistan is continuously attacking, India, to safeguard the sovereignty, to uproot terrorism, the whole country is standing with the Indian defence forces."

"The real face of Pakistan has come to the fore. India has never taken action in response to any aggression. But today when war is being forced, we want to say that India is not a weak country. Many countries like America and China will have to take a stand. America's stand is disappointing," he told news agency PTI.

India has released names of 5 terrorists who were killed in the targeted strikes under Operation Sindoor on May 7.

1. Mudassar Khadian Khas @ Mudassar @ Abu Jundal

Affiliation: Lashkar-e-Taiba

•  In-charge of Markaz Taiba, Muridke.
• Received a guard of honour at his funeral by the Pakistan Army.
• Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Pak Army Chief and Punjab CM (Maryam Nawaz).
• His funeral prayer was held in a government school, led by Hafiz Abdul Rauf of JuD (a designated global terrorist).
• A serving Lt. General of the Pak Army and the IG of Punjab Police attended the prayer ceremony.

2. Hafiz Muhammed Jameel

Affiliation: Jaish-e-Mohammed

• Eldest brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar.
• In-charge of Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur.
• Actively involved in radical indoctrination of youth and fundraising for JeM.

3. Mohammad Yusuf Azhar @ Ustad Ji @ Mohd Salim @ Ghosi Sahab

Affiliation: Jaish-e-Mohammed

• Brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar.
• Handled weapons training for JeM.
• Involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Wanted in the IC-814 hijacking case.

4. Khalid @ Abu Akasha

Affiliation: Lashkar-e-Taiba

• Involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Engaged in weapons smuggling from Afghanistan.
• Funeral held in Faisalabad, attended by senior Pakistani Army officials and the Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad.

5. Mohammad Hassan Khan

Affiliation: Jaish-e-Mohammed

• Son of Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri, operational commander of JeM in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Played a key role in coordinating terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.

Both India and Pakistan on Saturday expressed that de-escalation was on the table if the other country reciprocated.

During the press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi had said that Indian armed forces has given befitting reply to Pakistani actions.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that India was committed to "non-escalation" provided that Pakistan reciprocates.

But she said that Pakistani tropps were observed moving into forward areas, indicating intent to further escalate the situation. “Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness,” she added.

Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar told Geo News after speaking US State Secretary Marco Rubio that, "We responded because our patience had reached its limit. If they stop here, we will also consider stopping."

However, he warned that if India launched any strikes, then "our response will follow".

BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill said that the IMF disbursement approved to Pakistan is being diverted for terror purposes.

Speaking to news agency PTI, he said, "It is a historical mistake, the proof is that the global war on terror, and the international organisations, their stand on terrorism is full of double standards... The fund released to Pakistan is being diverted for terror purposes... But this will not weaken India's stand against terrorism."

Local police have issued a red alert in Jaislamer-Phalodi-Pokhran after a suspected drone activity, believed to be from Pakistan, was spotted.

Security forces are on high alert, and residents have been advised to stay indoors until further notice.

Earlier, red alerts were issued in Rajasthan's Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Jodhpur districts.

Explosions are reportedly being heard in Pokhran, with officials saying that some activity near Jaisalmer and Pokhran have been heard in the distance.

A red alert has been issued in Pokhran range and people have been asked to stay indoors.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti noted how US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached out to Pakistani army chief and urged for de-escalation and said that India should embrace its leadership role and instead take the first step towards de-escalation.

"India as the world’s largest democracy and now as a emerging power/ the most populous nation—with a rapidly growing economy ranked third globally must not rely on inconsistent international support. Instead, India should embrace its leadership role in the subcontinent and take the first step to de-escalate," she said in a post on X.

"The world is watching us. This is the moment for India to stand tall and demonstrate that its true strength lies in its soft power and commitment to peace not in nukes," she added.

A suspicious metal object was reportedly found in Himachal Pradesh's Una.

Deputy commissioner Jatin Lal told news agency ANI, "A suspicious metal object has been found and we have informed the higher officials and the Army. I want to convey to all that there is no need to panic, the administration is vigilant, and if anyone has any information regarding this, they must inform the authorities."

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters, "Pakistan is a terrorist country; it has always supported terrorism. However, India will not stop now. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, our army is giving an appropriate response. We are proud of our army."

Former defence minister AK Anthony said that the need of the hour is for the entire nation to rise above politics, religion, and caste, and stand united with the armed forces.

Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, "Our armed forces heroically fight this situation and even at the cost of sacrificing their lives, they are fighting to protect the integrity of the country. The need of the hour is that the entire country, the entire India, rise above politics, religion, and cast. The country must stand united with the armed forces. As far as Kerala is concerned, the government and Kerala society must visit the families of Army personnel. We must reassure them that all of us are with them."

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday lashed out at Pakistan, saying it has nothing that India would want and that New Delhi would be happy to leave Islamabad alone.

“India is a status quo power. It wants nothing that Pakistan has. It is focused on growing its economy, improving its high technology and providing a future to its young people. It is entirely happy to be left alone by Pakistan, and it'll leave Pakistan alone,” Tharoor told Al Arabiya in an interview.

Tharoor further said Pakistan has been deploying terrorists for 30 years in this wish to capture Kashmir, and added that they have failed and will fail for another 30 years.

Bhuj authorities on Saturday morning directed residents to stay indoors and avoid venturing outside. There were also reports of a drone attack near Bhuj town, with the Indian armed forces successfully neutralizing a separate drone threat in Kutch's Adipur village.

An exploded projectile was found at Mansa district's Mal Singh Wala village in the early hours of Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh confirmed the same and said that no one suffered any injuries, adding that no loss of property was reported either.

Jammu SSP Joginder Singh and BJP MLA Shyam Lal Sharma visited Additional district development commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa's residence to offer their condolences.

Thapa lost his life earlier on Saturday due to Pakistani shelling.

Congress MP Manish Tewari told news agency ANI, "Pakistan's intentions are clearly escalators and if Pakistan keeps going down this path, it has to understand that there will be a price to pay for it. What India did on the intervening night of the 6th and 7th of May 2025 was an act purely in self-defence in consonance with public international law."

"What Pakistan has been doing since then is a brazen act of aggression, and therefore, there is a clear distinction between what India did and how Pakistan has responded," he added.

"And so therefore, if Pakistan continues down this path as I earlier stated, then obviously there would be a cost to it and the Indian Armed Forces are imposing that cost," he added.

Congress MP Manish Tewari spoke to news agency ANI and said, ""India exercised its right to self-defense in consonance with the United Nations Charter Article 51 which gives every country the right to protect itself from egregious transgressions which have been happening in the case of Pakistan from across the border in the form of terror."

"Now, going back many years, Pakistan has chosen to respond to India's inherent right to self-defence in a manner which is escalatory and therefore, Pakistan has to understand that it cannot use terror as a state policy, and if it tries to brazen a town, as it has been attempting to do, it will pay the price," he added.

Explosions are reportedly being heard in Punjab's Bathinda district. 

In the early hours of Saturday, multiple explosions were heard in several Indian cities, including Jammu, Srinagar and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has been continuously carrying out shelling in J&K, causing damages to civilian infrastructure. Rajouri additional DC Raj Kumar Thapa lost his life to the Pakistani shelling on Saturday.

Delhi international airport limited (DIAL) spokesperson, according to news agency ANI, dismissed reports of Pakistan targeting the Delhi airport with Fateh-2 missile and advised to refrain from spreading false narratives.

The spokesperson said, "We express our strong disapproval on such irresponsible and provocative content. It is advisable to refrain from spreading false information. Passengers and public are advised to rely only on verified official sources for accurate updates."

Officials said that 3-5 blasts occurred near Awantipora. The explosions were also heard in Srinagar. 

Following his call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the escalating tension with Pakistan, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said that “India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so.”

Fresh sound of explosions have been heard in Srinagar.
 

Earlier in the day, multiple explosions were heard in several Indian cities, including Jammu, Srinagar and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has been continuously carrying out shelling in J&K, causing damages to civilian infrastructure. Rajouri additional DC Raj Kumar Thapa lost his life to the Pakistani shelling on Saturday.