Pakistan denies involvement in drone attack in Indian Kashmir, calls it ‘fake’
Pakistan’s government has pledged to respond to India’s attack “at a time, place and manner of its choosing”.
Here is a recap of the major events in the congoing India - Pakistan conflict since yesterday.
- Pakistan has said 31 civilians have been killed and dozens wounded by India's strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India said 13 people have been killed in cross-border attacks from Pakistan, including one soldier.
- Addressing parliament, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan's military shot down five Indian fighter jets during India's assault.
- India claims its attacks have hit "terror" training sites; Pakistan says mosques and civilians were struck, calling it an "act of war" and promising a robust response.
- Pakistan NSA Lt General Asim Malik reportedly spoke to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in what seems to be part of efforts to seek de-escalation.
- As many as 90 flights to and from Delhi airport, including five international departures, were cancelled by various airlines.
- The US Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan, has directed its staff to shelter in place amid reports of drone explosions.
- Pakistan's National Security Committee said it has authorised the country's armed forces to retaliate against India's attacks, saying Pakistan reserves the right to respond "at a time, place, and manner of its choosing".
- Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said Islamabad is looking to avoid an all-out war with India, but must be prepared for one.
- World powers – including the UK, France, Germany, Iran, Turkiye, Qatar and the UAE – have urged both nuclear-armed nations to show restraint and return to diplomacy.
- Iran has offered to mediate peace talks, and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already held separate discussions with both India and Pakistan over the past day.
1:30am
US urges 'immediate de-escalation' in call with Indian FM
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Following his call with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, reports BBC.
Spokesperson Tammy Brice reported that Rubio stressed the urgency of de-escalation and promoted enhanced direct communication between India and Pakistan.
He also offered condolences for the Pahalgam attack and reaffirmed the US's commitment to counterterrorism cooperation with India.
11pm
Pakistan denies involvement in drone attack in Indian Kashmir, calls it 'fake'
Following India's claims of Pakistani drone attacks on 15 cities, including an alleged incident in Jammu, the Pakistani military has denied launching any such drones into Indian-administered Kashmir, Al Jazeera reports.
Two Pakistani military officials described India's accusations as "yet again a continuity of their lies."
"Pakistan did not launch any attack last night or today," said a senior military source, on condition of anonymity.
Quoting security sources, Pakistan's state media outlet, PTV, in a post on X declared that "reports in Indian media about an attack on Kashmir are fake and false."
The statement elaborated that the motive behind spreading this "fake news" is to fabricate a false narrative of Pakistan attacking India.
Furthermore, it claimed that India intends to use this "false news" to perpetually rationalize its "naked aggression against Pakistan."
10:35pm
Explosions rock Indian Kashmir in suspected drone attacks
Blasts rang out across the city of Jammu in Indian Kashmir tonight (8 May) during what Indian military sources said they suspected was a Pakistani drone attack across the region on the second day of clashes between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Sirens sounded and red flashes and projectiles could be seen in the night sky above the city, a Reuters journalist said. Several parts of Jammu and the surrounding towns of Akhnoor, Samba and Kathua came under attack, said an Indian official who asked not to be named.
9:40pm
Pakistan reserves right to act in self-defence: PM Shehbaz tells US secretary of state
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, reports DAWN.
During a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today (8 May), Shehbaz stressed that Pakistan reserved the right to act in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
He also appreciated US President Donald Trump's concern over the current security situation in South Asia.
According to a statement of Pakistan PMO, Shehbaz conveyed Pakistan's strong condemnation of India's missile and drone strikes, which had led to the loss of 31 lives and injured 57 others, alongside damaging civilian infrastructure.
"India's attacks had violated Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region," Shehbaz was quoted as saying.
According to the statement, Secretary Rubio noted that the United States was closely following the situation in the region "as it was committed to promoting peace and stability".
He emphasised the need for both Pakistan and India to work closely to de-escalate the situation.
7:45pm
Schools in Punjab to remain closed on 9, 10 May
The Punjab government has announced the closure of all public and private schools across the province on 9 May (Friday) and 10 May (Saturday).
"However, examinations scheduled by/on behalf of International Examining bodies (O Level and A Level) shall continue as scheduled," said a notification issued by Secretary School Education Khalid Nazir Wattoo.
7:35pm
US leading de-escalation efforts in India-Pakistan conflict: Pak defence minister
The United States is leading global efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said today (8 May).
"India's drone incursions into Pakistan today made Pakistan's attack on India "increasingly certain", Asif said during an interview with Reuters.
Earlier in the day, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said New Delhi is willing to resolve conflicts through dialogue but warned against taking "unfair advantage" of its patience, reports Al Jazeera.
7:10pm
'India committed to non-escalation if Pakistan respects it': Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force today (8 May) said the Indian Armed Forces remain committed to non-escalation, provided this stance is reciprocated by the Pakistani military.
"Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military," she said in the special MEA briefing.
She further said, "Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using Mortars and heavy calibre Artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir."
Mentioning that 16 innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing, she said India was compelled to respond to bring Mortar and Artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt.
6:55pm
World Bank President Ajay Banga meets Indian PM Modi amid India-Pak tensions
Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (8 May), reports NDTV.
The meeting comes shortly after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty that was signed in 1960 between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Mohammad Ayub Khan.
6:40pm
US Consulate General in Pakistan's Lahore directs staff to shelter in place
The US Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan, has directed its staff to shelter in place amid reports of drone explosions, downed drones and possible airspace incursions, the country's State Department said today (8 May).
The consulate said it has also received initial reports that authorities may be evacuating some areas adjacent to Lahore's main airport, according to a statement.
6:10pm
India advises OTT platforms to stop streaming Pakistan-origin content
Citing national security concerns, India has directed OTT platforms to immediately cease streaming all content originating from Pakistan.
This directive encompasses web-series, films, and podcasts.
5:58pm
Contacts established between national security advisers of Pakistan and India
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has told Reuters that contacts were established between the offices of the national security advisers of India and Pakistan.
He further said that the hotline between the India-Pakistan director general of military operations was also working.
Pakistan NSA Lt General Asim Malik, who is also DG ISI, reportedly spoke to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in what seems to be part of efforts to seek de-escalation.
"Yes, Pakistan and Indian National Security Advisers are in touch," Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told The Express Tribune.
However, he declined to provide further details about the nature of discussions and purpose of the contact between the two NSAs.
5:50pm
Delhi airport sees 90 flight cancellations today
As many as 90 flights to and from Delhi airport, including five international departures, were cancelled by various airlines, reports Hindustan Times
Around 27 airports in various parts of the country are closed in the wake of India's strikes on Pakistan, what it termed as "Operation Sindoor".
"All operations across Delhi Airport's terminals and its four runways are proceeding as usual. However, changing airspace conditions have impacted some flights. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the updated flight information," Delhi airport posted on X.
5:30pm
Sunday's IPL match moved out of Dharamsala
Amid the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, an IPL cricket match scheduled for Sunday in India's northern city of Dharamsala has been moved to the western Ahmedabad city.
The match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians will now be held in Ahmedabad on Sunday afternoon, BBC reports citing secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association, Anil Patel.
5:15pm
Pakistan says shot down 25 drones, India says it pushed back Pakistani retaliation
The Indian defence ministry said Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in northern and western India on Wednesday night and early Thursday and they were "neutralised" by Indian air defence systems, reports Reuters.
In response, Indian forces targeted air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan on Thursday, it said in a statement, adding that the "Indian response has been in the same domain with the same intensity as Pakistan".
3:58pm
Pakistan Army now claims they took down 25 Israeli-made drones sent by India
Pakistan's armed forces have taken down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones that have been sent to the country since last night, reports DAWN, citing a statement by the country's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
"The Pakistan armed forces, using their soft-kill (technical) and hard-kill (weaponised) skills fully, have shot down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones sent by India," the military said.
It said India was "panicked by the elimination of its five modern jets, several drones and soldier deaths" caused by Pakistan's response to its airstrikes on 6 May.
1:45pm
India's foreign minister meets Saudi counterpart
India's Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar has met with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir, according to a post on X.
Jaishankar said he "shared India's perspectives on firmly countering terrorism" during the encounter, reports Al Jazeera.
The encounter occurred in India's capital New Delhi, local media reported. The two countries enjoy close friendly relations as well as a robust bilateral trade.
1:00pm
Pakistan army claims 12 Indian drones shot down
The military said 12 Indian drones were "neutralised" at multiple locations with operations ongoing, adding that one civilian died and four Pakistan troops have been injured.
"Last night, India showed another act of aggression by sending drones to multiple locations," army spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said.
"One managed to engage in a military target near Lahore."
12:30pm
Pakistan's National Assembly session on escalating tensions set to begin shortly
Pakistan's National Assembly is set to begin shortly a discussion on the growing tensions with India, it said in a statement on X.
It described India's "attempts to link Pakistan with the Pahalgam attack" as "baseless" and the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty as a "blatant violation."
11:45am
Pakistan PM calls Turkiye's Erdogan 'brother', hails support after India attack
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thanked Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his "solidarity and support" at what he described as a "critical time" for Pakistan.
In a post on social media, Sharif said he appreciated the "prayers of our Turkish brethren for the martyrs" following India's "heinous" missile strikes, reports Al Jazeera.
The prime minister said he briefed the Turkish president "on the valiant efforts of our armed forces who repulsed the enemy with their bravery and professional superiority".
"We will protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs," he said, adding that Pakistan was also grateful for Turkiye's efforts to secure de-escalation and peace in South Asia.
11:30am
Iranian foreign minister arrives in New Delhi after Pakistan visit
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in New Delhi as tensions between India and Pakistan surge.
Media outlets in India said Araghchi will meet with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, later today, in a visit that comes in the shadow of India's attacks on Pakistan and after the Iranian minister's visit to Pakistan, where he met with the country's prime minister and head of the military, reports Al Jazeera.
Indian media speculated that Tehran may seek to mediate in the conflict between India and Pakistan and that the foreign minister could possibly be carrying a message from Islamabad.
11:15am
Second drone shot down over Lahore: Report
There has been reports on the downing of a suspected Indian drone in the Pakistani city of Lahore over recent hours.
Now, CNN reports that an anonymous police official in the city in Punjab has said a second drone was shot down on Thursday, says Al Jazeera.
The source did not say where the drones had come from and he said officials were "examining the details about these machines".
11:00am
If you're just joining us here is a summary of what you need to know
- An explosion has been reported in the Pakistani city of Lahore in Punjab province, with local police officials saying an Indian drone was shot down near Walton Road.
- Instagram's parent company, Meta, has blocked Indian users from accessing a prominent Muslim news page on the social media site, as hostilities escalate between India and Pakistan, reports Al Jazeera.
- A senior unnamed Pakistani security source has said Pakistan's military downed five Indian planes earlier this week in what he described as one of the "largest and longest" aviation "dog fight[s]" in recent history, CNN reports.
- Flight operations at Pakistan's Karachi, Lahore and Sialkot airports have been temporarily suspended due to ongoing tensions, the Reuters news agency reports.
- The Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, located near the city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, was targeted in India's attacks early on Wednesday, according to Pakistan's Dawn News.
10:30am
Hydropower project in Pakistan-administered Kashmir damaged in India's attack: Report
Pakistan's Dawn News reports this morning that the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP), located near the city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, was targeted in India's attacks early on Wednesday, reports Al Jazeera.
Muzaffarabad Deputy Commissioner Mudasser Farooq confirmed that the intake structure of the hydropower plant was targeted by India and damage was inflicted on "intake gates and a hydraulic protection unit", Dawn reports.
According to the report, an ambulance belonging to the NJHP was also hit in the attack.
9:00am
Trump tells India, Pakistan to stop clashes
US President Donald Trump has called for India and Pakistan to halt their fighting immediately, and offered to help end the worst violence between the nuclear-armed countries in two decades, AFP reports.
"It's so terrible," Trump said at the White House. "I get along with both, I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop.
"They've gone tit-for-tat, so hopefully they can stop now.
"We get along with both countries very well, good relationships with both, and I want to see it stop," Trump said in the Oval Office.
"And if I can do anything to help, I will be there."
8:00am
Meta blocks Indian users from accessing Muslim news page on Instagram
Instagram's parent company Meta has blocked Indian users from accessing a prominent Muslim news page on the social media site, as hostilities escalate between India and Pakistan, says Al Jazeera.
Instagram users in India attempting to access the page – which uses the handle @Muslim and has 6.7 million followers – were met with the message: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
"I received hundreds of messages, emails and comments from our followers in India, that they cannot access our account," Ameer al-Khatahtbeh, the account's founder and editor, said in a statement.
"Meta has blocked the @Muslim account by legal request of the Indian government. This is censorship," he added.
Meta declined to comment when contacted by AFP. But a spokesman for the firm directed the news agency to a company webpage outlining its policy for restricting content when governments believe material on its platforms goes "against local law".
Access has also been blocked to the social media accounts of Pakistani actors and cricketers over recent days.
7:15am
India's Union Minister proposes widening of strategic road in Kashmir
Jitendra Singh proposed the widening of the strategic Udhampur Dhar Road in India-administered Kashmir, saying the move would be in "the interest of border security and defence".
"In the light of the current developments along the India- Pakistan border, Dr Jitendra Singh brought this issue to the notice of Indian Army as well as [Border Security Force] authorities, citing the security angle related to the widening of this road," a news release from India's Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions stated.
"This will also be a significant boost to border infrastructure and regional connectivity," it added.
Reporting the proposal, India's state-run Press Information Bureau said improving infrastructure in the area would provide "both civilian access and strategic, says Al Jazeera.
7:00am
Pakistan vows retaliation after India launches air strikes
Pakistan's government has pledged to respond to India's attack "at a time, place and manner of its choosing".
The government also said that it would "avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty" following India's missile attacks that killed at least 31 and injured dozens.
India said 13 civilians have been killed and 43 wounded on the Indian side of the Line of Control dividing Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where heavy cross-border shelling and gunfire were reported.
