India-Pakistan tensions LIVE Updates: 28 airports across North India to remain closed till May 14

MEA Press Conference on Operation Sindoor- Key Takeaways: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday held a special press conference on Operation Sindoor for the third consecutive day, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, IAF wing commander Vyomika Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the press about the ongoing operation and last night escalation triggered by Pakistan's unprovoked missile attacks on multiple Indian cities.

India-Pakistan war LIVE Updates

Closure of 28 North Indian airports extended: In wake of heightened tensions, he government has extended the closure of civilian airplanes at the 28 airports across Northern India till May 14.

Air raid sirens in Delhi: The Directorate of Civil Defence will test air raid sirens at the Public Works Department headquarters at ITO in national capital New Delhi. The testing will commence at 3:pm and last for around 15-20 minutes, according to an official statement. The general have been urged to maintain calm and do not panic when the exercise is carried out.

Chandigarh | Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "The Ministers in border areas and one more Minister deployed with them have to permanently make sure that black marketing is not happening in these areas. There is no need to worry about getting oil, queuing up at Petrol-Diesel pumps, or storing a lot of LPG cylinders. If you feel that someone is selling you goods at a higher price or indulging in black marketing, report it to the Deputy Commissioner or any government office... There is no need to panic."

• J&K LG Manoj Sinha visits Uri to meet security forces and review the ground situation, also meets locals Pakistan had targeted civilian areas in the Uri sector, last night
• Srinagar, J&K | On India-Pakistan tensions, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti says, "What is the fault of the children and women that they are getting trapped in this crossfire?... Military action treats symptoms, not the root cause. It never provides a solution or peace. Both countries should opt for a political intervention, not a military intervention. What did we achieve after the Balakot airstrike in response to Pulwama (attack)? I appeal to the leadership on both sides to end this attack... How long will people of J&K, especially the border areas, suffer the consequences?... Their purpose has been served after they claimed to have conducted a major strike (Operation Sindoor). Similarly, Pakistan is claiming that they shot down our fighter jets and destroyed brigade headquarters in Poonch. That means both of them settled the accounts equally. I appeal to Pakistan's leadership and to PM Narendra Modi, who promised that the era of war has come to an end... If both Prime Ministers can just pick up the phone and resolve this conflict."

• Directorate of Civil Defence will be testing air raid sirens installed at PWD headquarters, ITO at 3pm today
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convene a meeting at 12:30 pm with the Director General of BSF, the Director General of CISF, and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to review the border situation and airport security arrangements.
• Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel holds a meeting with senior officials at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Gandhinagar, in view of India-Pakistan tension
• The Made in India Akash surface-to-air missile air defence system has been effectively used by the Indian armed forces in foiling Pakistani attacks towards Indian targets. Both the Indian Army and Air Force have the missile system all along the Pakistan border: Defence Officials
• Chandigarh Police advises citizens to move indoors when sirens are sounded in the city
• J&K CM Omar Abdullah reaches the CM residence in Jammu
• In view of the current situation, Indian Railways plans to run three special trains from Jammu and Udhampur to Delhi, says Indian Railways.
• Punjab government is preparing to deal with the situation. Today, the ministers will review the emergency services in the border districts. Will inspect hospitals, fire stations, Will inspect the availability of ration and emergency services, Cabinet ministers will reach the border districts, immediately after the cabinet meeting, 10 ministers will leave for the border areas. Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchakk and Dr. Ravjot Singh will go to Gurdaspur. Ministers Kuldeep Dhaliwal and Mohinder Bhagat will take charge of Amritsar: Punjab CMO
• Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves from his residence
• "An air warning has been received from Air Force station of possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and away from balconies," says DC Chandigarh.
• Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah's convoy heads to Jammu via Udhampur The CM is heading to Jammu to take stock of the situation after last night's failed Pakistani drone attack directed at Jammu city & other parts of the division.
• Uttar Pradesh | President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, arrives at the Lucknow airport.
• All schools across J&K are closed today and tomorrow as a measure of precaution due to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan Visuals from Srinagar All schools, colleges and universities in J&K will be closed on 9th & 10th May as a precautionary measure, said J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo yesterday.
• The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs: Indian Army issues statement. Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western border on the intervening night of May 8 and May 9, Indian Army officials said. Pakistani troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs, the Indian Army said in a statement.
• Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs.
• All schools in Leh to remain closed on May 9, 10: The Leh administration on Friday announced that all schools in the district will remain closed on May 9 and 10 in view of the prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, according to officials, PTI reported.
• Indian Army says, "Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 8 and 9 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs."
• On the current situation between India and Pakistan, Washington DC-based South Asia analyst, Michael Kugelman says, "We know that there's a pretty strong international consensus in favor of de-escalation, but I think it's a fairly small number of countries that would be in a position to try to mediate this crisis. We know that the US has been active in mediation efforts in 2019 and also in 1999 during the Kargil crisis...The US has a very warm relationship with India and has a very good relationship with Pakistan as well...I think that China's significance in this crisis lies more in the security realm than in the diplomatic realm. China is a significant supplier of arms to Pakistan and there's indications that Chinese weaponry or Chinese made weaponry has been used by Pakistan during this crisis..."
• Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah left for Jammu early Friday to take stock of the situation following last night's failed drone attack by Pakistan. "Driving to Jammu now to take stock of the situation after last night's failed Pakistani drone attack directed at Jammu city & other parts of the division," Abdullah said in a post on X.

• Jammu and Kashmir: In view of the prevailing situation, schools, colleges & educational institutions in Udhampur have been closed today.
• IMF board meeting amid India-Pakistan conflict: Amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, global attention is focused on a critical IMF board meeting in Washington today, where Pakistan's bailout plan is scheduled for review.
• Turkish President Erdo an stated, "We are concerned that the tension between Pakistan and India is turning into an open conflict with missile attacks that have resulted in the martyrdom of many civilians. We extend our condolences once again to the brotherly people and state of Pakistan.
• US reaction: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the US has said it is not going to get involved in a war that's "fundamentally none of our business". While the US cannot control India and Pakistan, it can encourage the two nuclear-armed neighbours to de-escalate, Vice President J D Vance said in a TV interview on Thursday, PTI reported. "Look, we're concerned about any time nuclear powers collide and have a major conflict," Vance said when asked how concerned the Trump administration is about a potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan.
• India's counter-offensive has resulted in significant devastation across Pakistan. In response, a state of emergency has been declared in 20 cities of Pakistan.

MEA Press Briefing on Operation Sindoor - Key Takeaways

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday held a special press conference on Operation Sindoor for the third consecutive day, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, IAF wing commander Vyomika Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the press about the ongoing operation and last night escalation triggered by Pakistan's unprovoked missile attacks on multiple Indian cities.

Addressing a press briefing, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi revealed that 300 to 400 drones were deployed across 36 locations, with several being shot down by Indian forces using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods. Initial investigations suggest the drones were Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models.

Pakistan army violated Indian airspace, Turkish drones used: targeted military infra: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said: "On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy caliber weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations. The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means."

She added, "The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones..."

Drones launched at air defence sites in Pakistan, one AD radar destroyed: "In response to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar. Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling across the line of control using heavy-calibre artillery guns and armed drones... which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian army personnel. Pakistan army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire," said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

Pakistan didn't close civil airspace, put airliners at risk: "Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on May 7 at 08:30 pm. Pakistan is using a civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response. This is unsafe for unsuspecting civil airliners, including international flights that fly near IB between India and Pakistan. The screenshot we just showed shows the data of the application FlightRadar24 during a high air defence alert situation in the Punjab sector," Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said.

She added, "As you have seen, the airspace on the Indian side is absolutely devoid of civil air traffic due to our declared closure. However, there are civil airlines flying the air route between Karachi and Lahore. Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, thus ensuring the safety of international civil carriers. In response to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar. Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling across the line of control using heavy-calibre artillery guns and armed drones...which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian army personnel. Pakistan army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire."