Navy also opens front, hits Karachi Port
NEW DELHI, May 8:
Amid escalations with Pakistan, India has launched a major attack at Karachi Port and targeted Pak air defence system besides foiling enemy country’s attempts to strike military sites in 15 cities here.
Reports said that explosions have been heard in the southern Pakistan city of Karachi near the port. It is the first time after 1971, the Indian Navy has opened front against Pakistan.
The Navy has reportedly launched missile strikes on key Pakistani naval bases, causing major destruction and panic along Pakistan’s coastline. The Western Fleet of Indian Navy operating from Mumbai is completely deployed and ready if any kind of attack happens in these areas they are completely ready for retribution and response.
In December 1971, during the Indo-Pakistan War, the Indian Navy had launched two daring naval strikes on Karachi, Pakistan’s most vital port city and naval headquarters.
Besides, India on Thursday night swiftly thwarted Pakistan’s fresh attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles after foiling similar bids at 15 places in northern and western regions of the country, as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider conflict.
The renewed attempts and intense shelling by the Pakistani forces on the International Border (IB), Punjab and Rajasthan came after India on Thursday morning targeted Pakistani air defence systems at multiple cities with one in Lahore being “neutralised”.
The Indian armed forces on Wednesday had carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
As the Ministry of Defence(MoD) reiterated that any attack on military sites in India will invite a “suitable response”, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistan only can decide if it wants to de-escalate tensions with India as New Delhi responded to the “original escalation” triggered by the Pahalgam massacre.
Blackouts from several cities and towns in Punjab and Rajasthan were enforced as drones were sighted from across the border. However, the threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities…,” according to a late night MoD statement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising the need for de-escalation and reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups.
Jaishankar conveyed to Rubio that India will firmly counter any attempts by Pakistan to escalate the situation.
As tensions escalated, US President Donald Trump asserted that he wants India and Pakistan to “stop” what he described as “tit for tat” actions, saying if he can do anything to “help”, he will be there.
In a press statement, the MoD said that on the night of May 7-8, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.
“These attempts were neutralised by the Integrated Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (Grid and Air Defence systems).”
Sources in the defence and security establishment said the S-400 missile defence systems, surface-to-air missiles and the integrated counter unmanned aircraft system were used in countering the Pakistani attempts.
The statement said the debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani strikes.
“It was also reiterated that any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response.”
The statement further said that the armed forces targeted this morning air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan.
“It has been reliably learnt that an air defence system at Lahore has been neutralised.” In its response this morning, India launched kamikaze drones, also called ‘suicide’ drones.
An official said that at least four drones hit the Lahore cantonment area.
In a powerful retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre, Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out the missile strikes on the terror targets including Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group. A total of 26 people, mostly terrorists, were killed in the Pahalgam attack on April 22.
At a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Minister Jaishankar said India has no intention to escalate the situation with Pakistan but if there are military attacks on the country, then it will be met with a “very” firm response.
In his address at National Quality Conclave 2025, Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian armed forces executed ‘Operation Sindoor’ with “unimaginable” precision. He again said that a “good number of terrorists” were killed in the mission but did not specify any number.
At his media briefing, Misri said escalation started from that side (Pakistan) with the Pahalgam attack.
“Our approach is not to escalate the situation, we only responded to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.”
On de-escalation of the situation, Misri said, “Pakistan escalated the situation, we only responded. Choice is with Pakistan.”
The retaliatory actions of Pakistan are impacting civilians, referring to firings along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, said Misri, flanked by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also chaired a high-level meeting with secretaries of various ministries and called for continued alertness and clear communication, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to national security and operational preparedness.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday night spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed to him that India will firmly counter any attempts by Pakistan to escalate the situation. Following the phone conversation, Jaishankar underlined India’s targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism.
“Spoke with US @SecRubio this evening. Deeply appreciate US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism,” Jaishankar said in a social media post.
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation. “He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” she said.
“The secretary reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism,” Bruce added.
Saudi Arabia’s deputy foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir also landed in Delhi on Thursday to meet India’s top leadership with a focus on de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Saudi minister held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed the situation that has developed since India’s military strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir early Wednesday.
“A good meeting with @AdelAljubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia this morning,” Jaishankar said in a social media post.
“Shared India’s perspectives on firmly countering terrorism,” he said.
Meanwhile, amid escalating tensions between the two countries, many states announced the closure of schools, blackouts in border districts, and cancellation of leave of police personnel and administration officials.
A blackout was enforced in several districts, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Gurdaspur in Punjab and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Thursday evening, officials said.
The stringent measures were taken by Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal and Bihar after India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam massacre that killed 26 people.
Punjab shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, Rajasthan about 1,070 km and Gujarat around 506 km. West Bengal shares a 2,217-km border with Bangladesh.
In Punjab, the leave of all police personnel has been cancelled while the State Government has shut schools in six border districts, officials said on Thursday.
In neighbouring Haryana, the leave of state police personnel and those working in the health department has been cancelled till further orders.
The Delhi government also cancelled leave of all its employees till further orders due to the escalating hostilities. No leave will be granted to any official of Delhi Government till further orders given the prevailing situation and preparedness for any emergency, said an order issued late evening by the Services Department of the Government.
All district magistrates in the national capital are holding meetings with their subordinates to review health and disaster management preparedness in case of any emergency situation, officials said.
In Himachal Pradesh, which shares a border with Punjab, security has been beefed up in bordering districts, including Hamirpur, Una and Bilaspur.
With famous temples like Baba Balak Nath, Maa Chintpurni and Maa Naina Devi located in Hamirpur, Una, and Bilaspur districts, police have intensified security checks there, an official said.
The Rajasthan Government too has cancelled leave of administrative and police personnel deployed near the International Border and closed schools in five bordering districts.
As a safeguard against possible air strikes, the blackout is being enforced from 9 pm to 4 am in Barmer and Jaisalmer owing to the presence of critical infrastructure there. In Jodhpur, a blackout will be enforced from 12.30 am to 4 am. Flying of drones and bursting of crackers have been banned in Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar.
Security has been stepped up along the Gujarat coast, and authorities have cancelled the leaves of police personnel “due to unforeseen situation”, asking them to return to duty immediately.
The West Bengal Government has also cancelled the leave of all State Government employees until further notice. The order in this regard applies to all categories of state government employees, and even those who had earlier been granted leave will now have to report back to duty. Only employees on medical leave will be exempted from the directive, the notification clarified.
In Bihar, leave of administrative and police personnel and officials of the disaster management department was cancelled. The decision was communicated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday during a high-level meeting convened to assess the security situation in the state’s border districts.
Security was heightened across the national capital with additional forces, including paramilitary personnel, being deployed at key installations.
Police sources said special commissioners of all zones are holding meetings with the deputy commissioners of all 15 districts.
“All DCPs are actively monitoring law and order in their areas. They have already briefed their officers like ACPs and SHOs. DCPs are personally monitoring their area and Delhi Police is ready to deal with any kind of situation,” said the source.
According to an official, vigilance has been increased at malls, markets, metro stations, hotels, residential colonies, airports, and other crowded places.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania, in a statement, said, “As part of ongoing anti-terror measures, the police conducted a thorough security inspection at the Mayur Vihar Phase-1 Metro Station, a vital public installation. During the visit, CISF personnel were briefed, and a focused coordination meeting was held.”
“The station is secured with 41 operational CCTV cameras monitoring every critical point. In each shift, 7 male and 2 female CISF personnel remain deployed to ensure robust, round-the-clock security. This will ensure the safety of the commuters,” he added.
Bomb Disposal Squads carried out anti-sabotage checks at several locations.
“The district’s BDS team conducted anti-sabotage checks at malls, markets, hotels and vital spots to ensure public safety throughout the district. The exercise strengthened vigilance and preparedness against potential threats,” DCP (Southwest) Surendra Choudhary said.
Police checks in the city, especially at the bordering areas, have been ramped up, with all the vehicles entering Delhi being checked. (Agencies)
The post India foils attempts to strike military sites in 15 cities, targets Pak air defence systems appeared first on Daily Excelsior.