India-Pakistan Tensions LIVE: Pakistan violates ceasefire; MEA says armed forces instructed to respond strongly

A soldier was killed when he was hit by a fragment of a Pakistani drone, which was successfully intercepted by the Army Air Defence at an air base in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Saturday, officials said.

The incident took place before the announcement of a ceasefire by India and Pakistan to end their combat activities, which have intensified after the Indian armed forces carried out a missile strike on nine terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, they said.

The solider was on duty at the Udhampur air base, which came under Pakistani drone attack earlier during the day.

A senior Jammu and Kashmir government official and two security officers were among seven killed while more than 25 people were injured amid intense mortar shelling and drone strikes by Pakistan in the Jammu region on Saturday, officials said.

The casualties were reported hours before India and Pakistan agreed to end hostilities, which soared after the Indian Armed Forces hit terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) earlier this week in response to the Pahalgam attack.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the affected residential localities and announced a Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of each person killed in the cross-border shelling while police issued helpline numbers and asked people to stay away from debris of fallen UAVs.

Residents of Jammu city and other major towns of the division woke up to air raid sirens and deafening sounds of explosions around 5 am while border residents spent a sleepless night amid intense cross-border shelling.

Punjab reimposed blackout measures in several districts as a precautionary measure after withdrawing it earlier on Saturday.

Blackout measures have been imposed in many districts including Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Pathankot, Patiala, Moga, Kapurthala, and Muktsar districts.

The development came after Pakistan violated the bilateral understanding reached this afternoon to immediately stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea.

The district authorities in Punjab earlier withdrew blackout measures and restrictive orders after India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries teetering on the edge of full scale war.

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahwney said, “Since there are reports of ceasefire violation, we will remain on alert today.

“We will observe a blackout if and when needed. I advise all kindly be prepared for enforcement of blackout if the need arises and be at home. Please do not indulge in bursting of firecrackers. We have done this drill several times, so please do not panic. This is by way of abundant caution.” The Hoshiarpur district administration said that blackout was imposed at 8:50 pm and an air raid siren was sounded.

“Lights off as a measure of abundant precaution. Please cooperate,” said a message shared by the district authorities.

In Ferozepur, the district authorities clamped the blackout at 8:40 pm, urging citizens to switch off lights. “Do not need to panic,” said a message shared by the administration. The blackout continued till 10:30 pm.

An official in Fazilka said the blackout was enforced at 9:30 pm, while it has been clamped in Rupnagar from 9:30 pm to 5:30 am.

The Ludhiana district administration said, “In view of the change in circumstances, all members of the public are requested to stay indoors and must go for voluntary blackout wherever is possible.” There is no major cause of concern but voluntary blackout must be ensured as a matter of abundant precaution, said the Ludhiana deputy commissioner.

The Sangrur district administration also announced a blackout from 9:10 pm to 11 pm.

An army trooper was injured in a brief exchange of fire with a suspected terrorist outside a camp here on Saturday, an official said, as a massive search operation is on to secure the area.

The incident took place in the high-security Nagrota area late Saturday evening, the official said.

“On noticing suspicious movement near the perimeter, alert sentry at Nagrota Military Station issued a challenge, leading to a brief exchange of fire with the suspect. Sentry sustained a minor injury,” the army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps said.

The White Knight Corps said the search operations are underway to track the “intruder(s)”.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a phone conversation in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed several Indian personnel. According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Doval conveyed that India “needed to take counter-terrorism actions” but added that “war was not India’s choice”.

Wang Yi said that China condemns the Pahalgam terrorist attack and opposes all forms of terrorism. The current international situation is turbulent and intertwined. Peace and stability in the Asian region are hard-won and deserve to be cherished. India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away, and both are neighbours of China, he said.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Saturday night held a video conference with chief secretaries of the states sharing border with Pakistan, sources said.

During the meeting, the home secretary asked the chief secretaries to remain alert and activate civil defence mechanism in their respective states in case of any firing or attack from across the border, sources said.

The video conference came after Pakistan violated the bilateral understanding reached on Saturday to immediately stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea.

Firing from the Pakistani side was reported in some areas in Jammu and Kashmir.

Barely hours after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to end military action on Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir was shaken by a series of drone sightings followed by explosions, prompting security personnel to engage air defence systems to bring them down.

The episodes in Kashmir as well as Jammu province evoked severe concerns of possible violation by Pakistan of the freshly announced truce, officials said.

In Srinagar, citizens reported several blasts after dusk, with air defence forces engaging a drone flying over the Batwara neighborhood, close to a strategic Army facility. Officials confirmed that the drone was downed.

The blasts, which came about every 15 minutes and were preceded by flares illuminating the dark sky, caused instantaneous alarm and confusion.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday said Pakistan has violated the ceasefire understanding reached earlier in the day between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries.

The Indian Army is retaliating and dealing with this border intrusion. This intrusion is extremely condemnable and Pakistan is responsible for it. We believe that Pakistan should understand this situation properly and take appropriate action immediately to stop this intrusion.”

#WATCH | Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "An understanding was reached this evening between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan to stop the military action that was going on for the last few days. For the last few hours, this understanding is being violated by Pakistan.… pic.twitter.com/BNGnyvTnUH

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2025

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting with heads of different departments during which she took stock of the preparations.

The chief minister after the meeting said “Delhi is ready for any emergency”.

“We have to keep the system normal and be ready for any situation. Everything is normal on our part and we have ensured that the departments are ready and alert,” she told reporters.

On Pakistan’s violation of the ceasefire understanding, Defence Expert Captain Anil Gaur (Retd) said the breach reflects the presence of rogue elements within the Pakistani army and highlights why the country “cannot be trusted at all.” He added, “India should now retaliate and destroy Pakistan’s military assets so that they realise who they are dealing with.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On Pakistan violating the understanding to cease all firing and military action, Defence Expert Captain Anil Gaur (Retired) says, "This shows that Pakistan is a country that cannot be trusted at all. It shows that there are rogue elements in the Pakistani army.… pic.twitter.com/9IUvB9veIQ

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2025

A planned emergency blackout drill was conducted at the Pune airport on Saturday evening amid heightened security concerns in the country, a senior official said.

The mock drill took place between 8.25 pm and 8.45 pm and was aimed at testing the airport’s preparedness and response to potential power outages or other emergencies, he said.

The drill had been planned in view of the India-Pakistan military conflict.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday said that his country would continue to stand by Pakistan in upholding its “sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence”.

The Chinese foreign minister made these comments during a telephonic conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.

During the conversation, Dar briefed Wang Yi on the evolving regional situation.

Wang Yi acknowledged Pakistan’s “restraint and appreciated its responsible approach under challenging circumstances”.

“He reaffirmed that China, as Pakistan’s All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partner and iron-clad friend, will continue to stand firmly by Pakistan in upholding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence,” the Foreign Office said.

In a violation of a bilateral understanding by Pakistan to end military action, drones were observed flying in multiple locations across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night, prompting swift action by the armed forces which shot them down with the air defence mechanism.

A series of blasts took place in Srinagar city as the security agencies brought down a drone that was seen hovering over Batwara area of the city, close to an army installation, officials said.

This comes barely hours after India announced on Saturday evening that the two countries have reached an understanding to end all firing and military action.

Pakistan has violated the bilateral understanding reached this afternoon to immediately stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, central government sources said on Saturday night.

As a series of blasts rocked the city after sundown, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the “ceasefire” announcement.

Blasts could be heard after an interval of 15 minutes as the flares lit up the night sky in the city.

A drone was detected flying over Baramulla town in north Kashmir around 8.20 pm, the officials said.

They said the drone was destroyed by the anti-drone system.

A drone was brought down at Anantnag high ground, near an army installation.

Drone sightings were also reported from Verinag in Anantnag district and Bandipora and Safapora, the officials said, adding further details were awaited.

The chief minister took to social media, saying there was no ceasefire in place.

“This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up,” he posted on X.

“What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!” he added.

With India and Pakistan agreeing to an immediate ceasefire, Owaisi said, truce or not, India must continue to pursue those behind the Pahalgam terror attack.

In a post on X, the Hyderabad MP said he wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the ceasefire rather than the President of a foreign country (US).

“#Ceasefire or no ceasefire we must pursue the terrorists responsible for #Pahalgam attack”, he said adding as long as Pakistan uses its territory for terrorism against India, there can be no permanent peace.

Owaisi said he always stood by the government and the armed forces against external aggression and this will continue.

The AIMIM chief thanked the armed forces for their bravery and commendable skill.

He paid homage to Army jawan, M Murali Naik, ADDC Raj Kumar Thapa and prayed for all the civilians who were killed or injured during the conflict.

Owaisi expressed hope that the ceasefire would bring much-needed respite to people living in border areas.

Authorities enforced a total power blackout in Punjab’s Pathankot late Friday night as a precautionary measure amid escalating cross-border tensions.

#WATCH | Punjab: A complete blackout has been enforced in Pathankot

(Visuals deferred by an unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/z8ovHXi0sT

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2025

A BSF trooper was killed and seven others were injured in Pakistani firing along the International Border in Jammu on Saturday, officials said.

The incident took place in the R S Pura sector, they said.

A senior Border Security Force (BSF) officer said sub-inspector Mohammed Imteyaz made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly leading from the front.

He, along with seven others, were injured in cross-border firing initiated by Pakistan. While Imteyaz succumbed to his injuries, the other personnel were admitted to a hospital, the officer said.

“We salute the supreme sacrifice made by BSF braveheart sub-inspector Md Imteyaz in service of the nation on May 10, 2025, during cross-border firing along the International Boundary in R S Pura area, district Jammu,” the force’s Jammu frontier said in a post on X.

It added that the BSF director general and all ranks offered their deepest condolences to his family.

A wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the BSF’s Jammu frontier headquarters in Paloura on Sunday to honour Imteyaz, the officer said.

The BSF is tasked with guarding a more than 2,000-kilometre-long frontline between India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announcing that the directors general of military operations of both countries had decided to stop all firings and military action on land, air and sea with effect from 5 pm on Saturday.

This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up.

This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up. pic.twitter.com/HjRh2V3iNW

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 10, 2025

Explosions echoed through Udhampur and red streaks lit up the night sky late Friday as India’s air defence systems engaged Pakistani drones amid a sudden blackout across the region.

#WATCH | J&K | Red streaks seen and explosions can be heard as India's air defence intercepts Pakistani drones amid blackout in Udhampur

(Visuals deferred by an unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/oQO8RwhBfm

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2025

Operation  Sindoor  stands as a testament to India’s resolve, blending military might with non-military pressure to deliver a clear message to Pakistan and the world. In the wake of the devastating Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 innocent lives, including honeymooners and a young naval officer-India acted not just with force, but with purpose and restraint.

The massacre in the meadows of Jammu and Kashmir evoked a strong burst of anger among Indians and drew global condemnation in uncertain terms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the very next day at an event in Bihar’s Madhubani, said India would “identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers” responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack.

Read more here .

As the ceasefire comes into effect, several border cities in India are now lifting blackouts and restrictive orders.

The Sangrur district administration has now cancelled the previously issued blackout orders.

Authorities in Kapurthala have allowed shops and commercial establishments to reopen.

Hoshiarpur DC Aashika Jain said all restriction orders stand suspended and normalcy would be restored.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday welcomed “all efforts to de-escalate the conflict”, as India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire.

“We are monitoring but we welcome all efforts to de-escalate the conflict,” Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, told PTI here.

India launched a massive strike deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu-Kashmir to avenge the brutal killing of its civilians. The operation was an absolute success. Here is what India achieved:

1. Nine terror camps destroyed
• India neutralised 9 high-value terror launchpads across Pakistan and PoK.
• Targets belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The locations were identified as key training and operational centres for planning attacks against India.

2. Deep strikes into Pakistan’s mainland
• Strikes extended hundreds of kilometres inside Pakistan, not just PoK.
• India struck targets even in Punjab province, considered a strategic stronghold of Pakistan’s military.
• India struck at sensitive terror hubs such as Bahawalpur, places which even the USA had not dared to send its drones.

3. Exposed Pakistan’s fragile air defence
• Indian forces successfully bypassed or jammed Pakistan’s air defence grid.
• The swift and precise nature of the strikes, conducted within a 23-minute window, highlighted gaps in Pakistan’s air defence systems.
• Indian Rafale jets equipped with SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs executed the mission without any reported losses, demonstrating technological and strategic superiority.

4. Precision Without Escalation
• No military or civilian infrastructure targeted — only terror assets.
• India followed its Zero Tolerance doctrine while avoiding broader escalation.

5. Elimination of key terror operatives
• Several dreaded terrorists eliminated, including those on India’s most wanted list.
• Leadership of multiple terror modules wiped out in a single night.

6. Tri-service synergy
• Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force executed coordinated strikes — proof of India’s growing joint warfare capability.

7. Global message sent
• Showed the world that India will not wait for permission to defend its people.
• Terror will be punished — anytime, anywhere.
• It also showed that terrorists and their masterminds have no place to hide.

AFP is reporting that Pakistan has reopened its airspace after a ceasefire with India.

“Pakistan’s airspace has been fully reopened for all types of flights,” said a PAA statement after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire.

Sources in India’s Ministry of External Affairs say the ceasefire announced by Trump a few minutes ago was worked out ‘directly between the two nations.

“The stoppage of firing and military action between India and Pakistan was worked out directly between the two countries,” said the source.

“The Pak DGMO initiated the call this afternoon after which discussions took place and understanding reached.”

“There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place.”