Pakistan reopens airspace after ceasefire with India
US urges both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offers assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts
Highlights:
- Trump says India and Pakistan have agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire"
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls on both sides for de-escalation and direct talks
- Pakistan's Defence Minister said no meeting of the National Command Authority, the top body overseeing the country's nuclear arsenal, had been scheduled following a military operation against India that took place early on Saturday
- Pakistan's military has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called a meeting of the country's top civilian and military body, which takes key national security decisions, including those related to the country's nuclear arsenal
- Pakistan's military said retaliatory strikes have been launched against India after three airbases were targeted by Indian forces, accusing India of using "air-to-surface missiles" from warplanes.
- Pakistan Civil Aviation said it is closing its airspace from 03:15am local time (22:15 GMT) on Saturday until 12 noon (07:00 GMT) following the latest attacks.
- Explosions and air raid sirens have been heard across Indian-administered Kashmir and India's Punjab state as the Indian military said drones were sighted in 26 locations and are being "tracked and engaged".
- Three people were reported injured in a drone strike on the Indian city of Ferozepur in Punjab state.
- Approximately 50 people have been reported killed so far – 33 of them in Pakistan – since India launched missiles on Wednesday that it said targeted "terrorist camps" in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
With the ceasefire in place, we are now ending our Live Updates.
Thank you readers for staying with us! All other updates will be posted separately. We will be back with our Live Updates if there are further developments we need you, our valuable readers, to be updated on.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
9:40pm
Blasts heard in Indian Kashmir hours after India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement, minister says
Explosions were heard across the city of Srinagar in Indian Kashmir on Saturday evening, hours after India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire, reports Reuters citing Omar Abdullah, chief minister of the federal territory.
"What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar," Abdullah said in a post on X.
7:30pm
Pakistan reopens airspace after ceasefire with India
Pakistan reopened its airspace on Saturday following a ceasefire agreement with India, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said.
"Pakistan's airspace has been fully reopened for all types of flights," said a PAA statement after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire.
6:10pm
Trump says India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations.
Pakistan's foreign minister also said both countries had agreed to a ceasefire "with immediate effect" and India's foreign ministry said it would start at 5pm Indian time (1130 GMT).
"After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
5:40pm
Any future act of terror will be considered an act of war, warns New Delhi
India has decided that any future act of terror will be considered an act of war against the country and will be responded to accordingly, top government officials said.
With this decision, the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to draw red lines against terror incidents and makes clear its intention to firmly respond to the perpetrators and conspirators, in what is seen as a message to Pakistan, reports Hindustan Times.
5:10pm
13 civilians killed in Pakistani Kashmir in 12 hours, says disaster authority
At least 13 civilians were killed in Pakistani Kashmir in 12 hours until noon on Saturday, the region's disaster authority said, as India and Pakistan traded fire after Islamabad's military action against India in the early hours of the day, reports Reuters.
More than 50 people were also injured in the region, the authority said.
Tensions between India and Pakistan, both of who rule Kashmir in part, have escalated since India struck "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan on Wednesday.
3:35pm
Both countries step up military strikes
Pakistan and India launched strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations on Saturday, prompting U.S. calls for the nuclear-armed neighbours to begin talks and defuse their escalating conflict, the most intense since 1999.
Fears that the countries' nuclear arsenals might come into play spiked when the Pakistan military said a top military and civil body overseeing its nuclear weapons would meet, but the defence minister later said no such meeting was scheduled.
Officials from both sides showed a willingness, for now, to take a step back following the day's exchanges.
Pakistan's foreign minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, told local television that if India stops here, then "we will consider to stop here".
The Indian military said regarding Pakistan's military attacks on Saturday that "all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to appropriately".
1:50pm
'Missile-like object' lands in Srinagar's Dal Lake
Loud explosions have been reported in the city of Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir, with the Indian media saying a "missile-like object landed deep inside" the Dal Lake, a prominent tourist attraction in the area.
Smoke bellowed from the surface of the lake when the object landed, officials cited by the Press Trust of India news agency said, adding that debris fished out from the lake is being analysed, reports Al Jazeera.
Another suspected object was recovered from Lasjan on the outskirts of the city, while a "suspicious metal object resembling parts of a missile" was reportedly found at a village near the Chintpurni temple in Himachal Pradesh's Una district, the agency reported.
1:40pm
Pakistan closes airspace until Sunday noon
Pakistan airspace has been shut after its military said India had launched a series of attacks on airbases, says Al Jazeera.
"Pakistan's airspace will remain closed for all kinds of flights until Sunday 12:00pm" or (07:00 GMT on Sunday), the statement from the country's aviation authority said.
1:35pm
India says Pakistan targeting civilians, increasing troop deployment along border
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says Pakistan's claims about destroyed military infrastructure during attacks over recent hours are "completely false", reports Al Jazeera.
"Claims have been made about large sections of Indian critical infrastructure, power systems, cyber systems etc, being attacked and destroyed – completely false," Misri said at a news conference, as he accused Pakistan of targeting "civilians and civilian infrastructure".
Speaking alongside Misri was wing commander Vyomika Singh, who said Pakistan's army has been observed to be moving its troops forward, "indicating offensive intent to further escalate the situation".
"Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness," Singh said.
1:30pm
Nuclear option not on the cards, says Khawaja Asif amid escalating tensions with India
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the nuclear option is "not on the cards right now" but if the situation comes up the "watchers" will be affected as well, reports Dawn.
Speaking to Geo New, Asif said he is telling the world that "this is not going to be confined to the region only it could be much wider this destruction".
"Our options are being reduced considering the situation India is creating," he added.
He insisted that no meeting of the National Command Authority has been called.
The authority is responsible for making the operational decisions on Pakistan's nuclear weapons.
1:20pm
Mix of celebration, apprehension in Pakistan as military response to India launched
On the streets of Pakistan, the attacks on Indian military targets this morning brought about a sense of relief and jubilation for some.
People across the country were constantly questioning the lack of major military action by Pakistani forces in the wake of the deadly attacks carried out by India over the past few days.
There were calls for a "show of strength" by the military.
However, as the conflict continues and intensifies, there is also anxiety, apprehension and a sense of panic, especially on the eastern side of the country near the border with India, as well as in Rawalpindi, the garrison city adjacent to the capital, Islamabad.
People continue to fear India's missile and drone attacks, the former continued in the early hours of this morning, while Pakistan's airspace remains closed.
1:10pm
Pakistan's defence chief describes need for 'urgency' in response to India attacks
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has been speaking to a Pakistani television channel about the ongoing situation in the Kashmir region.
Amid calls to de-escalate the situation, Asif said that there was an urgency and need from Pakistan to respond to Indian attacks.
He said Islamabad is not ruling out more confrontations with India, adding that naval forces are prepared for attacks by sea.
1:05pm
Pakistan says 'ball in India's court' on de-escalating: Report
Pakistan will consider peace if India stops military action, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he told US Secretary of State Macro Rubio on Saturday.
Dar told Pakistani broadcaster Geo News that he said the "ball is in India's court" in his conversation with Rubio. "War is not our priority and we genuinely want peace but without hegemony of any country," said Dar, who also serves as the country's deputy prime minister.
Dar said his interactions with world leaders, including Rubio and the Saudi foreign minister, on Saturday morning had been "positive" and that he hopes talks with India can begin.
Asked about contact between the two countries' militaries after the latest round of attacks, Dar said "messages have been exchanged on both sides".
1:00pm
India accuses Pakistan of attacking religious sites, residential areas
India's Defence Ministry has accused Pakistan of targeting civilian infrastructure during overnight attacks as part of operation Bunyan Marsoos.
"[Pakistan targeted] places of worship like the famous Shambhu Temple and residential areas in Jammu. Multiple armed drones have been sent through the night, endangering civilians and religious sites," the ministry said in a statement.
"The Indian Armed Forces remain vigilant and are committed to defending the sovereignty of the nation," the ministry added.
12:55pm
Pakistan retaliated after 'great provocations' by India: Islamabad analyst
The latest military escalation between India and Pakistan could be only the first phase of a bigger conflict, said Imtiaz Gul, a political and security analyst based in Islamabad.
The "great provocations" for Pakistan were the Indian army's launching of attacks by fighter jets and drones for several days before Pakistan's response early on Saturday.
"This is what constitutes the grounds for Pakistan's retaliation. It's going to be very dangerous if the Indians don't relent and stop their war propaganda," Gul told Al Jazeera.
"So this was the last trigger Pakistan needed to launch attacks," he said.
Gul added that the escalation is somewhat reminiscent of previous major conflicts in 1971 and 1999, but this time it has been revolving around air attacks so far rather than ground offensives.
12:50pm
Pakistan retaliated after 'great provocations' by India: Islamabad analyst
The latest military escalation between India and Pakistan could be only the first phase of a bigger conflict, said Imtiaz Gul, a political and security analyst based in Islamabad.
The "great provocations" for Pakistan were the Indian army's launching of attacks by fighter jets and drones for several days before Pakistan's response early on Saturday, reports Al Jazeera.
"This is what constitutes the grounds for Pakistan's retaliation. It's going to be very dangerous if the Indians don't relent and stop their war propaganda," Gul told Al Jazeera.
"So this was the last trigger Pakistan needed to launch attacks," he said.
Gul added that the escalation is somewhat reminiscent of previous major conflicts in 1971 and 1999, but this time it has been revolving around air attacks so far rather than ground offensives.
12:45pm
Indian authorities say at least 22 killed since escalation started as thousands flee border areas
Um-e-Kulsoom Shariff, reporting from India's capital New Delhi, said the Indian Army has called the strikes by Pakistan a "blatant escalation", says Al Jazeera.
"It said that Pakistan has used drones and other munitions to strike and the Indian Army has engaged and destroyed these drones," Shariff said.
"This is the initial response, but a more detailed response about the loud explosions we've heard throughout the area and heavy artillery fire in the border areas is expected shortly," she said.
"India said at least 22 people have died since the escalation in these attacks and dozens of people injured," she added.
"And when we talk of the loss of life there's also loss of livelihoods. Remember that thousands of people have been evacuated from villages in the border areas for safety."
12:40pm
Rubio urges India, Pakistan to restore communication to 'avoid miscalculation'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged India and Pakistan to find ways to de-escalate the growing military conflict between the neighbouring nuclear-powered nations.
In separate phone calls to India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, Rubio urged the two countries to communicate directly, offering US help to hold talks, says Al Jazeera.
Rubio "emphasized that both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation", State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
12:30pm
Pakistan PM now denies meeting of body that oversees nuclear arsenal
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said no meeting of the National Command Authority, the top military and civil body overseeing the country's nuclear arsenal, had been scheduled following a military operation against India that took place early on Saturday, reports Reuters.
"No meeting has happened of the National Command Authority, nor is any such meeting scheduled," he told ARY TV.
12:25pm
Deputy PM says Pakistan operating defensively, no choice but to retaliate
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said his country has "exhibited a lot of patience", but it had "no choice" but to retaliate to India's strikes over recent days, reports Al Jazeera.
"Even on the first day, we stayed in our space and attacked those jets that entered Pakistan, five of which we shot down," he told Pakistani news outlet Geo News.
"There were clear instructions not to be on the offensive. Our patience has been tested and has run out, and the actions that have been taken are retaliatory and defensive, the world can see that," he said.
"Our civil military leadership made the decision following the attack on Nur Khan Airbase. No more patience. We are just giving them a response," Dar said.
12:20pm
Deep concern': China offers help to resolve India-Pakistan conflict
Beijing "is closely monitoring the current situation between India and Pakistan", China's Foreign Ministry says in a statement, while cautioning against taking actions that could further escalate the tensions.
China urged both countries to prioritise "peace and stability" and observe calm and restraint, and return to the path of resolving issues through peaceful political means, says Al Jazeera.
The ministry added that China remains willing to continue playing a constructive role to resolve the matter.
China is a key player in the region, but is seen as closer to Pakistan, considering its own border tensions with India.
12:15pm
Pakistan airspace remains closed for all types of flights till noon May 11: PAA
The Pakistan Airports Authority has announced that Pakistan's airspace will remain closed for all types of flights until 12pm tomorrow (May 11), reports Dawn.
A notification from the PAA spokesperson said the airspace remains closed for all types of traffic.
12:00pm
India says at least 5 bases damaged
Colonel Sophia Qureshi of India's Army Signal Corps has admitted that Pakistan's retaliatory attacks damaged its "equipment and personnel" at least four airbases as it targeted "more than 26 places".
Qureshi was addressing a press conference alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri after Pakistan launched its military response to India's late-night attacks on its three airbases, reports Dawn.
"Pakistan tried to infiltrate via air at more than 26 places, and they damaged our equipment and personnel at air force bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhuj and Bathinda," Col Sofiya Qureshi said, according to Times of India.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh claimed that Indian forces "neutralised" these threats.
11:30am
'Situation is difficult' but no ground forces mobilised yet: Analyst
Vivek Katju, a former Indian diplomat and columnist, spoke to Al Jazeera earlier, saying that for "much too long", India had been patient with Pakistan. Now it had decided to take action amid an "unacceptable terrorist attack", reports Al Jazeera.
The deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 was such an attack, he said.
"I will get concerned if ground troops start getting mobilised. Neither country has done that," Katju said.
"If you go back in history, in 2002 the Indian army was mobilised after the parliament was attacked. And that was a very close thing. But still no hostilities, no ground activities ensued," he said.
"At the moment, as I said, yes, it's a difficult situation but clearly the Pakistanis are using the old narrative that terrorism is fine – we practise it – but India should not respond. It should just absorb. That will not happen any more," he added.
Pakistan has denied involvement in the April 22 attack and called for an independent investigation.
11:20am
US Secretary of State Rubio urges de-escalation in call with Pakistan Army chief: Spokesperson
In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir to discuss the latest situation in the region, reports Al Jazeera.
"He continued to urge both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts," Bruce said.
11:10am
Pakistan army claims Indian counterparts hit by cyber attack
Pakistan's army has claimed a cyber attack caused disruption to Indian military's capabilities, including satellites, says Al Jazeera.
The military claims to have "successfully jammed" Indian military satellites, including navigation and communication satellites, security sources said.
The cyber attack is also said to have targeted Indian government email servers and portals.
The Indian government has yet to comment on the claims.
10:40am
Indian army denounces 'blatant escalation' in Pakistan's deployment of drones
In a statement posted on X, India's military said it detected "multiple enemy armed drones" flying over the Khasa Cantt military base in the Indian city of Amritsar early on Saturday.
"The hostile drones were instantly engaged and destroyed by our air defence units," the statement said.
"Pakistan's blatant attempt to violate India's sovereignty and endanger civilians is unacceptable," it added.
10:48am
Five killed by Pakistani shelling in Jammu region: Reports
Earlier, we reported that Rajouri district commissioner in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir region, Raj Kumar Thappa, was killed after the Pakistani military struck his home as part of a spate of shelling targeting Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu districts.
Citing local officials, The New Indian Express and National Herald newspapers now report that two more people – including a two-year-old child – were killed and three others were injured in the attack on Rajouri town, says Al Jazeera.
A 55-year-old woman was also reportedly killed when a mortar shell struck her home in Kanghra-Galhutta village in Poonch district, while a resident of Bidipur Jatta village was killed in the R S Pura sector of Jammu district.
Al Jazeera has not been able to independently verify these claims. We will bring you more information when we have it.
9:35am
US top diplomat Rubio speaks with Gen Asim Munir, offers assistance in talks for de-escalation
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir and offered his country's assistance in talks for de-escalation between Pakistan and India, the State Department says.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir earlier today," a statement issued by US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
Rubio "continued to urge both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts," it added.
9:30am
Authorities announce temporary closure of airports across north, west India
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across the country's north and west for all civil flight operations.
The closures will be in effect from May 9-14 and impacted airports span the Indian states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat, as well as Indian-administered Kashmir.
9:15am
Islamabad says India's suspension of Indus Waters Treaty an 'attack' on Pakistan's people
A spokesperson from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called India's suspension of Indus Water Treaty an "attack" on Pakistan's people, reports Al Jazeera.
The spokesman said that from Islamabad's perspective, the treaty "remains fully in force and is binding on the parties", according to a transcript of a briefing published on the ministry's website.
"There is no provision in the treaty to hold it in abeyance," the spokesman added.
"Millions of people are dependent on the water being regulated by this treaty. The Indian decision is equivalent to an attack on the people of Pakistan and its economy."
8:30am
Pakistani PM calls National Command Authority meeting
Pakistan's military has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called a meeting of the country's top civilian and military body, which takes key national security decisions, including those related to the country's nuclear arsenal, reports Al Jazeera.
7:45am
Pakistan's operation targets Indian missile storage sites
According to the Pakistani military, there's been multiple assets which have been engaged including its Fatah-1, medium-range, missile system, which is being used to target those military facilities, reports Al Jazeera.
Pakistan said it was bound to carry out this attack after India carried out the attack on May 7th and killed its civilians and citizens.
All those those sites that have been targeted are the ones that Pakistan said have been used to put targets on the backs of its citizens; [India] targeted mosques, places of worship, as well military sites.
7:30am
Pakistani state media claims India's power grid hit by cyberattack
State-run outlet PTV News is now reporting that India's power grid has been hit by a cyberattack launched as part of Operation Bunyan Marsoos.
7:10am
More on Pakistan's military operation against India
In a post on X, Al Jazeera's correspondent Osama Bin Javaid said, according to military sources, Pakistan is attacking "multiple targets" across India, reports Al Jazeera.
Pakistan launched its operation right after dawn prayers on Saturday, he said.
7:00am
G7 warns India-Pakistan military escalation a 'serious threat' to regional stability
The Group of Seven (G7) major countries urged maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan and called on them to engage in direct dialogue amid rising hostilities between the two nuclear-armed Asian neighbours.
"Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides," according to the statement, which was posted in the official website of the government of Canada, a member of the G7, reports Al Jazeera.
"We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution."
6:50am
Indian army postpones press conference due to attacks: Report
We have been reporting on "Bunyan Marsoos", a military operation launched by Pakistan's armed forces over the past hour targeting military sites in India.
Pakistani news outlet Samaa TV, citing security sources, now reports that the Indian Army has postponed a planned news conference due to the strikes. The same outlet reports that Pakistan has fired at least three "Fatah 2" missiles at Indian targets, says Al Jazeera.
These claims could not be independently verified by Al Jazeera.
We will bring you more information when we have it.
6:30am
New Delhi airport says 'changing airspace conditions' could impact operation
Earlier, we reported about Pakistan's decision to close the country's airspace due to the current tensions with India.
Meanwhile, in India, the operator of New Delhi airport said "changing airspace conditions and increased security measures" could affect some flights and length of security checks, reports Al Jazeera.
The advisory asked passengers to arrive early and cooperate with airline and security staff at the airport.
6:20am
Pakistan responds to Indian attacks, launches operation 'Bunyan Marsoos'
The military's media wing – Inter-Services Public Relations – has announced that Pakistan has officially launched its retaliatory strikes against "Indian aggression", codenamed operation Bunyan Marsoos.
Military sources have claimed that Pakistan has targeted airbase in Indian city of Udhampur and an air field in Pathankot, both of which were "destroyed".
Security sources further claimed that a BrahMos missile's storage site in Beas, in India's Punjab province, was also hit.
