India Strikes Four Pakistan Air Bases in Major Retaliatory Operation After Drone Assaults
India Strikes Four Pakistan Air Bases in Major Retaliatory Operation After Drone Assaults
New Delhi | May 10, 2025
India on Saturday launched a powerful retaliatory offensive targeting at least four key Pakistani air bases, in response to a series of provocative cross-border attacks that escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
According to defence sources cited by news agency ANI, Indian armed forces carried out coordinated strikes on multiple Pakistani military installations early Saturday morning. Loud explosions were reported across various regions of Pakistan, indicating precision targeting. Pakistan later confirmed that three of its air bases—Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Jhang)—were struck during the operation.
Indian forces also destroyed several Pakistani Army posts and terrorist launch pads used for deploying tube-launched drones, defence officials said. The strikes are part of Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror initiative launched after the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
Sources said surface-to-air missile systems were activated in Srinagar, and heavy engagement was reported along the Line of Control (LoC) amid the ongoing military escalation.
The latest operation follows Pakistan’s large-scale drone and artillery attacks across Indian territory. On Friday alone, over 26 sites—from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat—were targeted using armed drones. This marked the second consecutive night of attempted strikes by Pakistan, with Indian air defence successfully intercepting many of the hostile drones.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that between May 7 and 8, the Pakistani military violated Indian airspace multiple times using 300–400 drones across 36 locations. She noted the possible motive was to test Indian air defence capabilities and gather strategic intelligence. Initial forensic analysis of the drone wreckage has identified some of them as Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said India’s response was “proportionate, adequate, and responsible.” The retaliatory strikes reportedly involved armed drones targeting Pakistani air defence radars and critical infrastructure.
This wave of strikes is seen as a decisive message amid growing hostilities, even as global attention turns toward the escalating crisis. Indian forces remain on high alert, and travel advisories have been issued across several northern states.
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