- By Supratik Das
- Sat, 10 May 2025 02:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a shocking recap of previous violence, May 9 has again engulfed Pakistan in chaos and war. Following an attempted but unsuccessful Pakistani push to carry out missile and drone attacks on several Indian military bases in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan at the crack of dawn on Saturday, the Indian Armed Forces struck back with precision killing, focusing on the terrorist launchpads and strategic military infrastructure within Pakistan.
India Carries Out Retaliatory Strikes
Diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have been mounting since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India retaliated by conducting Operation Sindoor on May 7, attacking nine terror-related locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These included launchpads used for infiltrating terrorists into Indian territory. Pakistan struck back in the late hours of May 8 with coordinated drone and missile strikes on Indian military installations, including Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda, destroying some civilian infrastructure and injuring men. Indian defence officials stated that Pakistan employed drones, loitering munitions, and high-speed missiles, with one missile striking near a health complex in Punjab at 1:40 AM. In a rapid counterattack, the Indian Army mounted simultaneous fire attacks on terrorist launchpads near the Line of Control (LoC), shredding the camps into rubble. The Indian Air Force, at the same time, bombed four airbases within Pakistan, drastically weakening the air power of Pakistan.
Also read: Pakistan Launches ‘Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos’ Against India: Here’s What It Means
Pakistan's Domestic Crisis Deepens: May 9 Redux Unfolds
Ironically, the recent escalation is reminiscent of the anarchy Pakistan had experienced on May 9, 2023, following former PM Imran Khan's arrest, as it led to nationwide riots. More than 40 government premises were wrecked, including strategic military installations such as the GHQ in Rawalpindi, PAF Alam Airbase, and ISI offices. The damages amounted to over Rs 2 billion, and over 4,000 individuals were taken into custody. Now, in the wake of new military tensions, Imran Khan's supporters have organized huge bike rallies towards Rawalpindi, calling for his release. Khan, who is under detention since mid-2023 at Adiala Jail, has several charges against him. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has moved the Islamabad High Court, citing threats to Khan's life because of deplorable jail conditions in the backdrop of the current Indo-Pak crisis.