Nuclear rivals clash as India and Pakistan enter most intense conflict since 1971

The Indian Armed Forces successfully repelled a wave of drone and missile attacks launched by Pakistan targeting key military installations across northern and western India.

Simultaneously, Indian forces struck Pakistani air defense systems in Lahore, officials confirmed on May 8.

According to the Ministry of Defence, Pakistan launched a coordinated aerial offensive on multiple Indian military sites, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.

These strikes were successfully countered by India's Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System and the deployment of the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defense missile system.

“Early this morning, Indian armed forces targeted air defense radars and systems at several locations in Pakistan. The Indian response matched Pakistan’s actions in both domain and intensity,” the ministry said, confirming the destruction of an air defense system in Lahore.

Even After 78 years of separation, the two nations continue to be bitter enemies, now armed with nuclear weapons.

Global Firepower’s 2025 rankings place India as the fourth-strongest military power globally, with over five million personnel — compared to Pakistan’s 1.7 million. India also holds clear superiority in air, land, and naval assets.

India spent $86 billion on its military in 2024, making it the fifth-largest defense spender. Pakistan’s expenditure stood at $10.2 billion.

India operates 2,229 aircraft and 3,151 tanks, compared to Pakistan’s 1,399 aircraft and 1,839 tanks.

Both nations possess nuclear capabilities. India first tested nuclear weapons in 1974, followed by further tests in 1998. Later that year, Pakistan established a fragile but long-lasting nuclear deterrence with its own tests.

India sources the majority of its arms from Russia, France, and the US, while Pakistan relies heavily on Chinese imports.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pakistan's arms imports rose by 61% between 2015–19 and 2020–24.

The current conflict stems from decades of hostility since the 1947 partition. Kashmir remains the central flashpoint, with both nations claiming it in full while controlling parts.

While previous flare-ups led to skirmishes, the scale and coordination of recent military actions mark a significant escalation.

India's response to the recent attacks comes under the umbrella of “Operation Sindoor,” a tri-service military campaign targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The operation follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, including 25 tourists.

As part of the operation, Indian forces carried out precision strikes on nine locations — four in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and an undisclosed site) and five in PoK.

Reports revealed that over 100 terrorists, including top commanders of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), were killed.

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, defended the cross-border strikes, emphasizing that the response was strictly targeted.

“What we did yesterday was a response to terror... We took out terror factories at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. We were very careful to avoid military and economic infrastructure,” he said.

Kwatra accused Islamabad of enabling terrorism. “Pakistan has again decided to stand with the terrorists. Rather than acting against them, they are lending support.”

On the evening of May 8, Pakistan escalated its retaliation with loitering munitions and missile strikes on Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu Airport at Satwari.

At least eight missiles targeted strategic areas such as Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia. Indian air defense systems intercepted all incoming missiles.

The Defense Ministry also reported that drones and missiles were used to target military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.

“The threats were swiftly neutralized using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities, in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). No casualties or material losses were reported,” the ministry said.

Two Pakistani drones were shot down by Indian Army Air Defense Units in Naushera, Jammu and Kashmir.

Late on May 7, the BSF stopped an attempt to infiltrate along the International Border in the Samba district.

In Jammu, twin explosions caused a temporary blackout, prompting authorities to activate emergency protocols.

Sirens blared across the city, instructing residents to seek shelter. Eyewitnesses reported drones crashing near the airport as Indian countermeasures lit up the night sky with flares.

Authorities imposed precautionary blackouts in multiple regions, including Bikaner, Jalandhar, and Amritsar, as well as Jammu sectors such as Kishtwar and Akhnoor.

Defense sources highlighted tactical similarities between Pakistan’s missile strikes and those used by Hamas.

Intelligence reports suggest a recent meeting between Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Hamas operatives in PoK.

A major blow to Pakistan’s surveillance capabilities came with the downing of its Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft in Punjab province.

The loss is expected to significantly impact Pakistan’s coordination and early-warning operations.

Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid described the situation as a near state of war.

“After 8:20 pm this evening, we witnessed around 50–60 air attacks over Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Pathankot, Samba, and Akhnoor. All these attacks were neutralized. Compliments to our impregnable air defense system,” he said.

“There are no reports of any damage despite such a massive attack by Pakistan. It appears to be a full-fledged war, and a befitting reply must be given by our three services. Pakistan’s days are numbered. It will soon break into five parts,” Vaid added.

Civilians across the region faced major disruptions, including power cuts and evacuation orders in vulnerable areas.

In Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, power was suspended following an attempted Pakistani attack. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors until the situation stabilized.

Commercial aviation has also been impacted. IndiGo Airlines announced free rescheduling or cancellation for tickets booked on or before May 8 for flights to and from affected cities, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, and Leh.

Amid rising tensions, social media platform X confirmed it had blocked over 8,000 Indian accounts in response to government directives, citing legal threats, including the possible imprisonment of its employees.

By the evening of May 8, Indian defense officials confirmed full operational readiness. Aerial defense and surveillance units remain on high alert across border regions.