Operation Sindoor LIVE Updates: Cross-Border Tensions Escalate as Pakistani Forces Resume Hostilities
In a significant escalation of cross-border hostilities, Pakistani troops resumed firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in multiple sectors, including Kupwara and Uri, early Friday morning. The renewed aggression comes just hours after the Indian Army successfully thwarted coordinated drone and missile attacks launched by Pakistan on Thursday night, targeting civilian and military infrastructure across northern and western India.
According to senior defense sources, the attempted aerial strike spanned several states, including Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. These attacks triggered an immediate emergency response, prompting the activation of advanced air defense systems, air raid sirens, and the enforcement of widespread blackouts in vulnerable areas to minimize visibility to enemy aircraft and drones.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that an intruding Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet was shot down during the interception, though an official statement from the Indian Ministry of Defence is awaited. Military analysts note that the downing of an F-16, if verified, would represent a significant tactical victory for India and a serious blow to Pakistan’s air capabilities.
The latest exchange follows another failed attempt by Pakistan to hit military targets in at least 15 Indian cities on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Indian defense systems detected and neutralized several drones and missiles before they could cause damage, highlighting the effectiveness of recent upgrades to India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
In retaliation for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 — which claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians and security personnel — India launched a preemptive strike in the early hours of Wednesday. A barrage of 24 precision-guided missiles was fired within a span of 25 minutes, striking nine identified terror launch pads and logistical hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Defense officials confirmed that the missile strike was based on actionable intelligence and aimed to dismantle the operational infrastructure of terrorist groups believed to be behind the Pahalgam massacre.
Operation Sindoor, as the ongoing Indian military campaign has been codenamed, is now entering a critical phase with heightened military alertness along the LoC and International Border. Troop reinforcements, aerial surveillance, and deployment of anti-drone units have intensified as part of India’s strategy to prevent further incursions and assert its defense posture.
Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have surged. India has formally lodged a protest with Islamabad, holding the Pakistani state responsible for aiding and abetting cross-border terrorism. The Ministry of External Affairs has called for international condemnation of Pakistan’s actions, urging global powers to recognize the threat posed by state-sponsored terrorism in South Asia.
As the situation remains volatile, citizens across affected regions have been advised to stay indoors during night hours and follow all safety protocols issued by local authorities. Emergency hotlines and shelters have been activated, while mobile communication and internet services in certain border districts remain under surveillance to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The coming days are expected to be tense, with both militaries on high alert. Operation Sindoor continues as a decisive counter-terror initiative, aiming to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the border and ensure the security of Indian citizens.