India Pakistan news highlights: Over 50 Pakistani drones shot down by air defence array across LoC

A blackout is being observed in Jammu amid the sounds of multiple loud explosions. More details awaited.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia praised the Indian Armed Forces for their precision strike under 'Operation Sindoor' and said that this "war is a war to end terrorism."

"Under the leadership of PM Modi, our three forces have worked to wipe out the terrorists forever. Today, India has given a befitting reply to the terrorists through Operation Sindoor. This war is a war to end terrorism," Scindia told reporters.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Thursday disbursed immediate relief and ex-gratia assistance from the district Red Cross fund to individuals and their families affected by Pakistani shelling, PTI reported, citing an official spokesperson.

In a statement on India's Operation Sindoor, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani said, “We are very proud of our Indian Armed Forces for Operation Sindoor. India stands united, fierce in resolve and unshakable in purpose, against the scourge of all forms of terrorism. Under the bold and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Armed Forces have responded with precision and power to every provocation from across the border.”

There will be an eight-hour blackout starting at 9 pm on Thursday in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, an order issued by the Gurdaspur deputy commissioner said.

The move comes in the wake of escalating tension between India and Pakistan, officials said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, in a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirmed Islamabad's resolve to defend his country's sovereignty, reported Reuters.

Given the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the West Bengal government on Thursday cancelled the leaves of all state government employees until further notice.

A notification issued by the state finance department cited the "current situation" as the reason behind the decision.

Last rites of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, performed with full honour at his native place in Mohammadpur, ANI reported.

He was killed during a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control on 07 May 2025.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday held a review with key civil administration officials from the Jammu division to assess the emergency preparedness and the need to curb fake news regarding the armed conflict underway.

The review was conducted particularly to assess civil defence, emergency services, and public reassurance measures, and the need to curb the spread of misinformation.

As cross-border tensions continue to the closure of all educational institutions -both government and private, in five key districts of Jammu and Kashmir, for May 9. 

Schools and colleges in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch will remain shut as a precautionary measure.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday questioned why Pakistan opposed the mention of the role of terror group The Resistance Force (TRF) during the UNSC meeting when the terror outfit had already claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.

The foreign secretary also said the retaliatory actions of Pakistan are impacting civilians, referring to firings along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

The choice of de-escalation is with Pakistan as it escalated the situation with the Pahalgam terror attack, and India only responded to it through Operation Sindoor, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Thursday.

His comments at a media briefing came amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday slammed Pakistan for its baseless civilian casualties claim and asked why terrorists were given a state funeral.

 "As far as we are concerned, the individuals eliminated at these facilities were terrorists. Giving terrorists state funerals, maybe a practice in Pakistan," said Misri.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri vehemently denied Pakistan's claims of civilian casualties in India's precision strike and asked why the funerals of civilians were being carried out by coffins wrapped in their national flag, and state honours were being awarded. 

He also pulled out an image in support of India's claim.

Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday reiterated that no Pakistani civilians were harmed in India's strike under Operation Sindoor and denied all claims by Pakistan related to civilian casualties.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, while addressing a press briefing on Thursday, said that Pakistan has increased unprovoked firing along the LoC and used mortars and heavy-calibre artillery for the purpose.

“Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using Mortars and heavy-calibre Artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday said that the offensive against Indian began with Pahalgam terror attack and India's Operation Sindoor was a retaliation. 

In a special press briefing on Thursday, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that India, in response to Pakistan's missile attack, aimed at Lahore's air defence system and neutralised it.

Pakistan army on Thursday claimed India has used drones to target multiple locations, including the two largest cities of Karachi and Lahore. "Indian drones continue to be sent into Pakistan airspace...(India) will continue to pay dearly for this naked aggression," said Pakistan military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. India has not yet commented on this. READ MORE

A day after the ‘Operation Sindoor’ military strikes on terror targets in Pakistan, India struck Pakistan's air defence systems early Thursday morning in response to a wave of drone and missile attacks launched by Pakistan against Indian military installations the previous night. READ MORE

The Indian Armed Forces launched precision counterattacks early on Thursday and neutralised key air defence systems in Pakistan, including a system in Lahore, a statement released by India said. READ FULL STATEMENT

Special briefing on Operation Sindoor by MEA at 5.30 pm

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said, “The precision with which Operation Sindoor was executed is unimaginable, very praiseworthy. Nine terrorist camps were destroyed in it, and a large number of terrorists were killed. This operation was carried out without harming any innocent people and with minimum collateral damage.”