India-Pakistan Conflict Escalates: Pakistan Fires Fatah-II Missiles and Drones, India Strikes Three Airbases

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Pakistan fired Fatah-II missiles and drone attacks at 26 places, India attacked three airbases[/caption]

Second Night of Attacks Sees 26 Indian Sites Targeted by Pakistan, India Responds with Missile Strikes on Key Pakistani Airbases

The standoff between India and Pakistan intensified on the night of Friday, May 9, as the conflict entered its fourth consecutive day. Under the cover of darkness, Pakistan launched another round of coordinated drone and missile attacks on Indian territory, prompting a strong retaliatory strike from India, which reportedly targeted three major Pakistani airbases.

Pakistan Targets 26 Indian Locations with Drones and Missiles

Around midnight, Pakistani drones and missiles struck 26 different locations across India, including areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Indian air defense systems intercepted and shot down several drones before they could inflict significant damage.
In Ferozepur, Punjab, three members of a family were injured in a drone strike. One of them is reportedly in critical condition.
In Amritsar, over 15 drone sightings were confirmed, with most of them neutralized by Indian forces. Similarly, 9 drones were shot down in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer.
In Barmer, Rajasthan, another Pakistani drone was downed, and there were reports that Pokhran was also targeted.

Cross-Border Shelling Along the LoC

Pakistan also resorted to heavy cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), particularly in Baramulla and Kupwara districts of north Kashmir, prompting full blackouts in several areas.
In Rajouri (Jammu region), unprovoked shelling by Pakistan resulted in the death of a senior Indian administrative officer, Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences on social media, describing the loss as "devastating."

India Retaliates with Air-to-Surface Missile Strikes

At approximately 4:30 AM on Saturday, India launched a counteroffensive.

Indian jets reportedly fired air-to-surface missiles at three key Pakistani airbases — Nur Khan, Mureed, and Shorkot, including one near Islamabad.
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed the attack in a televised statement, saying most of the missiles were intercepted by air defense systems.

Pakistan Launches Operation "Bunyan ul Marsoos"

In response to India’s retaliation, Pakistan initiated a military operation named “Bunyan ul Marsoos”, derived from a Quranic verse meaning “a wall made of molten lead,” symbolizing strength and impenetrability.

The operation targets multiple Indian military installations, according to Pakistani military authorities.

Pakistan Fires Fatah-II Missile, India Intercepts

As part of its counter-response, Pakistan launched a Fatah-II missile, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of approximately 400 km.
The missile was intercepted and destroyed by Indian air defenses near Sirsa, Haryana, before it could reach any target.

Nationwide Drone Intrusions and Airspace Restrictions

Indian military reported drone sightings across 26 locations, from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the west.
As a precautionary measure, 32 airports in northern and western India were temporarily closed for civilian operations.
Earlier on Friday, 24 airports had already been shut, and the number was increased as tensions escalated.

Blasts Reported in Jammu, Udhampur, and Pathankot

Around 4:30 AM Saturday, loud explosions were heard in Jammu, where a full blackout was imposed.
Similar blasts were reported in Dibber area of Udhampur and near Pathankot, though no official confirmation has been provided yet.

Indian Army Releases Visuals of Targeted Strikes

The Indian Army released visuals showing the destruction of Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads used for launching tube-launched drones into Indian territory.

U.S. Calls for De-escalation

Amid the escalating crisis, the White House issued a statement saying that President Donald Trump wants both nations to “de-escalate immediately.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly in constant contact with both Indian and Pakistani leaders to defuse the situation.

The situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining a high alert. Airstrikes, drone warfare, and cross-border shelling indicate that a prolonged confrontation is underway. Global attention is now focused on efforts to prevent further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.