Operation Sindoor LIVE Updates | India's Ministry of Defence says Pakistani drones spotted at 26 sites

Tensions continue to mount between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and India's retaliatory strikes on Pakistan. Several security alerts have been issued across northern and western India, including airspace restrictions, red alerts in border districts, and increased military vigilance. Civil flight operations at multiple airports remain suspended, disinformation is spreading rapidly online, and official advisories are urging calm and caution.

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In the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, several states—including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal—have enforced strict precautionary measures. These include school closures, blackouts in border districts, and cancellation of leave for police and administrative officials.

IPL match was stopped at Dharamsala.

While officials have not issued a formal statement on the reason for the stoppage, the floodlights of the stadium were deliberately switched off, suggesting a precautionary blackout in response to the developing military escalation along the India-Pakistan border.

Following the drone attack in Jammu on the night of May 8, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging immediate de-escalation. He expressed support for direct India-Pakistan dialogue, reaffirmed US cooperation in counter-terrorism, and offered condolences for the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Security stepped up in all airports across India

Bureau of Civil Aviation has issued orders to step up security and carry out through frisking of passengers

The Ministry of Defence said military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in J\&K. The threats were swiftly neutralised using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, as per standard protocols. No casualties or material damage were reported. The statement added that India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens.

The government clarified that the letter is fabricated and that no individual named Gen VK Narayan currently holds the post of Chief of the Army Staff. Citizens are urged to avoid spreading unverified information and rely only on official sources for updates.

The company will comply to avoid penalties but said it strongly disagrees with the move, calling it censorship. In many cases, no specific posts or reasons were given. X said it cannot publish the orders due to legal restrictions but urged transparency to prevent arbitrary action. Affected users have been notified and are encouraged to seek legal help. X also shared contacts for legal aid organisations.

In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding.

In a statement, the Nepalese government reiterated its strong condemnation of the attack and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Emphasizing regional peace, Nepal assured that its territory will not be used against neighboring countries and called for calm and stability in South Asia.

The threats were swiftly neutralised using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, as per established SOPs. No casualties or material damage were reported. The statement added that India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people.

Airlines like Air India and Akasa Air have issued alerts noting that check-in counters will close 75 minutes before departure. The advisory comes amid heightened security across the country following escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border.

"There is a red alert. Everybody stay in their homes and turn off all lights," read a statement from Sriganganagar Police on X.

The update was shared by the official Twitter handle of DPR Haryana (@DiprHaryana).

PIB Fact Check has clarified that the government has issued no such order and urged citizens not to fall for or spread misinformation.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has directed all airlines and airports across India to implement enhanced security measures. According to Ministry of Civil Aviation sources, Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) will now be mandatory for all passengers at all airports. Visitor entry to terminal buildings has been banned, and Air Marshals will be deployed accordingly as part of the heightened alert.

The Government of India has suspended civil flight operations at 24 airports across five border states. The suspension, confirmed through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), includes key airports in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Recently added to the list are Kullu (Bhuntar), Ludhiana, and Kishangarh, as per the latest communication from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The temporary closure is effective until 11:59 PM IST on May 9, unless extended.

Key airports affected include Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaisalmer, Bhuj, and Rajkot, among others.

Here's the full list:

1. Srinagar (VISR)

2. Jammu (VIJU)

3. Leh (VILH)

4. Amritsar (VIAR)

5. Pathankot (VIPK)

6. Bathinda (VIBT)

7. Chandigarh (VICG)

8. Halwara (VIHX)

9. Patiala (VIPL)

10. Ludhiana (VILD)

11. Shimla (VISM)

12. Kangra/Gaggal (VIGG)

13. Bhuntar/Kullu (VIBR)

14. Jaisalmer (VIJR)

15. Jodhpur (VIJO)

16. Bikaner (VIBK)

17. Kishangarh (VIKG)

18. Bhuj (VABJ)

19. Mundra (VAMA)

20. Kandla (VAKS)

21. Porbandar (VAPR)

22. Jamnagar (VAJM)

23. Hirasar/Rajkot (VAHS)

24. Keshod (VAKE)

PIB Fact Check has confirmed that the video is actually from the 2020 Beirut explosion in Lebanon.

Delhi Airport has issued a travel advisory, confirming that operations remain normal despite some flights being impacted by changing airspace conditions and heightened security measures. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest updates on their flight status.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has stated that at approximately 11:00 PM on May 8, it successfully foiled a major infiltration attempt along the International Boundary in Samba district, Jammu & Kashmir. Security remains tight along the border amid ongoing tensions.

United States Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that the conflict between India and Pakistan was "fundamentally none of our business" “What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit, but we’re not going to get involved in the middle of war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it,” he said.

The Indian Army issued a statement saying it gave a "befitting reply" to ceasefire violations by Pakistan Armed Forces on the night of May 8. A visual of the Indian airstrikes was also shared.

"Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs. #IndianArmy remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignity and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force," it said.

Washington DC-based South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman warns against spread of disinformation amid India-Pakistan tensions. The Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre and and writer for Foreign Policy magazine said that "disinformation is escalating as rapidly as the hostilities."

"Follow the fact checkers. At moments like this, their work is absolutely critical," he said, calling the disinformation "very dangerous" at such a time.

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa said the country will not allow its airspace or territory to be used to attack another nation, amid rising India-Pakistan tensions.

Delhi Airport has advised all passengers to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. Though the airport operations remain normal, some flights might be impacted due to evolving airspace conditions and heightened security measures, the airport said. Passengers have been urged to rely only on official sources for information.

Srinagar Police has registered an FIR against three individuals for allegedly spreading false and provocative content on social media amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions. The accused -- Inayat Hussain Rather (Shalina, Pampore), Rather Arif (Wanpora, Anantnag), and Sheikh Umar Farooq (Ichgam, Budgam) -- were booked by Shergarhi police station. Authorities said the content shared aimed to incite fear, confuse the public, and threaten national security. Citizens are advised not to spread unverified information and to report any suspicious posts or activity. Investigations are underway.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China is concerned about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urged both countries to act in the interest of regional peace. Calling both nations important neighbours, he reiterated China’s opposition to all forms of terrorism and appealed for calm, restraint, and adherence to international law, including the UN Charter. Lin said China is ready to work with the international community to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation. His remarks come amid ongoing developments following the recent attack in Jammu and India’s response.

Air raid sirens were sounded in Chandigarh, following a warning from the Air Force Station about a possible attack. The administration has urged residents to stay indoors and avoid balconies.

"An Air warning has been received from Air force station of possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and away from balconies," an official statement said.

This comes after X revealed on May 8 that the Union government has directed it to block over 8,000 accounts in the country.

The Kerala government has set up control rooms at the Secretariat and the NORKA department to assist Keralites, including students, living near the India-Pakistan border. The move, directed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, comes amid heightened tensions in the region. A statement from his office assured that there is no cause for concern at the moment.

Email: cdmdkerala@kerala.gov.in

Phone: 0471-2517500, 0471-2517600

Fax: 0471-2322600

Citizens are advised to use these contacts for official information or in case of emergencies.

A viral WhatsApp message claiming that ATMs will be closed for 2–3 days has been flagged as fake by PIB Fact Check. ATMs are operating normally across the country. No such directive has been issued by any official authority.

Citizens are urged not to share unverified forwards and rely only on trusted government sources.

IndianOil has assured that fuel and LPG stocks are sufficient nationwide and supply lines are functioning normally. The company urges citizens to avoid panic buying to ensure smooth access for all.

In view of the prevailing situation, Indian Railways has arranged special train services from Jammu and Udhampur. Train 04612, with 12 reserved and 12 unreserved coaches, will depart Jammu at 10.45 am. A Vande Bharat train with 20 coaches will leave Udhampur at 12.45 pm, passing through Jammu and Pathankot. Additionally, a fully reserved special train is scheduled to depart Jammu at 7 pm.

The march will begin at 5 pm from DGP office to War Memorial. Ex-serviceman, ministers, students and general public will participate in the march to express their support, gratitude to the armed forces.

A video showing a heavy MLRS barrage is being falsely circulated as footage of a Pakistani attack on India. PIB Fact Check says the clip is from a video game, and has been online for over three years. It has no link to the ongoing India–Pakistan situation.

Citizens are urged to verify content before sharing and rely on official sources for updates.

Several politicians including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar joined in the rally.

A video circulating widely on social media claims that Hazira Port in Gujarat has been attacked. However, PIB Fact Check has clarified that the video is unrelated and actually shows an oil tanker explosion that took place on July 7, 2021. Citizens are urged not to share the misleading video.

The Wire has issued a statement saying that access to its website thewire.in has been blocked across India by Internet Service Providers, citing orders from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the IT Act, 2000. Calling it a "clear violation of the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press," The Wire termed the move as arbitrary and inexplicable, and said it is taking all necessary steps to challenge the censorship. The platform reiterated its commitment to providing truthful and accurate news, stating, “We will not be deterred.”

As a border state, Gujarat has undertaken advance planning, and the PM was briefed on these efforts. Modi also sought details about safety measures in sensitive districts like Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, and Jamnagar, which border Pakistan. The CM said the state government has taken adequate steps to ensure civilian safety. He said that the Union and state continue to coordinate closely as the situation along the western border remains tense.

The order, valid for three years, allows the Army to deploy these units across various commands as needed. This embodiment will depend on the availability of funds, including reallocation from internal budgets or support from other ministries.

The move enhances the Army’s operational flexibility and readiness, allowing it to quickly reinforce troops amid rising tensions or emergencies along the country’s borders.

It has also passed an order preventing the bursting of firecrackers for any reason until July 7, 2025.

Murali Naik, a 25-year-old soldier from Andhra Pradesh, was killed in action, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced. The CM spoke to Murali Naik's parents, Jyothibai and Sriram Naik, over the phone and offered condolences.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has said that on the intervening night of May 8 and 9, 2025, Pakistan launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions across the entire Western Border. Pakistani troops also carried out several ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. According to PIB, Indian forces effectively repulsed the drone attacks and gave a strong response to the ceasefire violations.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan spokesperson termed Indian claims of targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan as false, saying that it was a matter of record that the Indian strikes resulted in the killing of civilians, including women and children.

“It is a matter of public knowledge that some mosques were also destroyed or damaged during the Indian aggression. Similarly, parts of the Neelum-Jhelum hydro-electric project were damaged due to Indian shelling, which is interalia a violation of international conventions,” he said, demanding that India must be held accountable for these crimes.

The Indian Armed Forces used kinetic and non-kinetic methods to neutralise the (Pakistani) drones. These drones were used to gather intelligence. We are analysing the drones and as per initial reports, these were Turkey's SONGAR drones. A Pakistani UAV also tried to attack the military station in Bhatinda, but the attempt was thwarted."

MEA briefing: Pakistan sent 300-400 drones in 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek last night to target our military installations

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said that a Pakistani Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was launched to target a military installation in Bathinda. The attempt was successfully intercepted by the Indian Armed Forces. She further stated that between 300 and 400 drones were deployed across 36 locations in India, aiming at key military sites from Leh to Sir Creek.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: "Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7 May at 08:30 hours in the evening. Pakistan is using civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response...Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, thus ensuring safety of international civil carriers."

The operations were led by District Disaster Management Authorities

Safety of Kudankulam plant and emergency protocols were tested during the drill.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the Pakistani drone strikes on May 9 were aimed at places of worship chosen with a particular design, calling it “a new low even for Pakistan.”

In response to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar. Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling across the line of control using heavy-calibre artillery guns and armed drones... which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian army personnel. Pakistan army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said the Pakistani side employed heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) and attempted multiple drone-based intrusions from Leh to Sir Creek.

A video circulating on social media falsely claims that Indian Muslims have started arson in Delhi. PIB Fact Check has clarified that the video is actually from the massive fire that broke out at the Delhi Haat market in INA on the evening of April 30, 2025. Authorities warn this is part of a deliberate disinformation campaign aimed at misleading the public and disturbing communal harmony. Citizens are urged to rely only on verified information from official sources.

Our reporter in Jammu has confirmed that sirens were heard in the distance followed by sounds of blasts. It is blackout in Jammu yet again.

The army has said that drones have been sighted in Jammu, Samba & Pathankot.

They are being engaged.

Earlier, India said that Pakistan launched at least 300 to 400 drones on India in the intervening night of May 7 and 8.

India has expressed strong concerns at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the approval of a fresh $1.3 billion loan for Pakistan, highlighting Islamabad’s poor track record in adhering to previous IMF programs and the risk of misuse of funds for state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. In a statement released by the Press Information Bureau, India noted that Pakistan’s repeated bailouts and entrenched military interference in economic affairs make it a high-risk borrower, yet it continues to secure IMF support. India also flagged that such funding may send the wrong message globally, encouraging impunity and undermining the values of transparency and accountability in international finance. India abstained from the vote, and the IMF acknowledged India's concerns.

One Pakistani drone reportedly struck a residential area in Firozpur, Punjab, injuring a family. The injured have been rushed to the hospital for treatment. SSP Ferozepur, Bhupinder Singh Sidhu, has confirmed to ANI, stating, "We received information about 3 people being injured. They have burn injuries. Doctors will treat them. Most of the drones have been neutralised by the army..." More details awaited.

Watch Bhupinder Singh speak here.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced has informed that a blackout has been imposed in the villages of bordering Santalpur taluka in Patan district.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US is actively working to mediate the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. She said that Secretary of State and now National Security Advisor Marco Rubio is in constant touch with leaders from both countries. President Trump, she added, wants tensions to de-escalate quickly and maintains good relations with both nations. Leavitt stressed that the conflict predates Trump’s presidency, but the administration remains committed to supporting dialogue and resolution.

Claims are circulating that explosions were heard at Jaipur Airport. PIB Fact Check has confirmed that these claims are false. The District Collector & Magistrate, Jaipur, has clarified that the reports of explosions are unfounded. The airport is secure, and there is no cause for concern.

Jamia Millia Islamia has announced the rescheduling of admission tests scheduled on May 10 and 11, 2025, specifically for students from Jammu and Kashmir. A separate schedule will be provided for J&K applicants who are unable to attend the tests on the original dates. Admission tests for all other applicants will be conducted as per the original schedule on May 10 and 11, 2025.

In an official statement, the Prime Minister's Office in Pakistan has claimed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s executive board has approved the first review of its $7 billion loan program, unlocking a $1 billion disbursement. The IMF has not yet confirmed the claim.

Pakistan drones spotted at 26 sites from Baramulla to Bhuj along LoC & IB with Pakistan — some armed, posing danger to civilians & military.