India Pakistan Ceasefire Live highlights: 'Pak has violated ceasefire over last few hours, India giving befitting reply,' says MEA

Explosion-like sounds were heard in Punjab’s Pathankot district early Saturday morning, amid the ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan. The blasts, reported around 5 am, however, have not yet been officially acknowledged by authorities.

A blackout was enforced in Pathankot on Friday night, with officials urging residents to remain indoors as a precautionary measure.

According to officials, security forces successfully intercepted multiple Pakistani drone attacks across Punjab’s Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, and Amritsar districts on Friday evening.

In Ferozepur, three members of a family sustained injuries late Friday night after debris from a Pakistani drone, neutralised by the Indian air defence system, crashed into their home in Khai Pheme Ke village, setting the house and a car ablaze.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated since Wednesday, when the Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which was found to have cross-border links.

On Friday night, Pakistan launched another wave of drone attacks, targeting 26 locations across India, from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat, for a second consecutive night.

The press briefing that was supposed to take place at 5:45 am on actions taken against Pakistan has been deferred.

Pakistan launched an attack on 26 locations last night. After that India has carried out a retaliatory action. Intermittent firing is going on along the LoC at many places, reported ANI, citing sources.

The G7 (Group of Seven) is an intergovernmental organisation of seven of the world’s most advanced and industrialised economies: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Formed in the 1970s in response to economic crises, the group meets annually to coordinate policy on global economic issues, trade, security, climate change, and international development.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan, read G7 Foreign Ministers' statement on India and Pakistan


Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides. We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution, it further read.

The Pakistan military on Saturday announced that it has launched a military operation against India. No further details were provided.

The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU High Representative have strongly condemned the "egregious terrorist attack" in Pahalgam on April 22.

In a joint statement, they urged both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint, warning that further military escalation could seriously threaten regional stability.

The ministers called for immediate de-escalation and encouraged both countries to pursue direct dialogue, reaffirming support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution.

Golden Temple has seen a sharp drop in footfall in past two days, with visitors preferring to stay away from Amritsar, a border district, amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, reports. The holy Sikh shrine gets over a lakh pilgrims daily on an average, but its corridors have been noticeably empty after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Partap Singh, secretary of SGPC, said the number of pilgrims travelling from outside Amritsar had declined due to the military conflict, but arrival of local devotees remained steady. The decline in number of visitors has, in fact, affected the entire tourism economy of Amritsar. Hotels are largely vacant, and places like Heritage Street and Jallianwala Bagh memorial are nearly deserted.

Electricity has been restored in the area, but a few explosions were still heard towards the Khasa side, local sources reported. Security forces are monitoring the situation.

A media briefing will be held near the South Block lawns at 5:45 am.

Pakistan early Saturday claimed that its three airbases were targeted by Indian missiles and drones. Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases of Pakistan Air Force were targeted.
"But all assets of the Air Force remain safe," he claimed.

India has fired air-to-surface missiles with its jets, he claimed. He added that several missiles were intercepted by Pakistan's air defence system.

He said this is a "sinister act of India pushing the region into lethal war and Pakistan will respond to this aggression. India should wait for our response". Chaudhry did not take any questions and ended the presser abruptly.

Early Saturday morning, multiple explosions were heard at Pakistani air bases and Rawalpindi, its military headquarters. Pakistan's army spokesman accused India of firing missiles at three air bases, claiming most were intercepted. This followed two nights of failed Pakistani drone attacks targeting Indian cities, using civilian planes as shields, which Indian defense systems successfully countered.

Several explosions were heard in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, according to a Reuters witness on the ground.

India on Friday termed Pakistan's "blatantly farcical" denial of attacks it carried out as yet another example of its duplicity, and the new depths that it has plunged to in its disinformation campaign.

Responding to Islamabad's im that India had targeted Sikh holy places in Amritsar and in Pakistan, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said efforts to give a communal hue to India's military strikes on terrorists and their training camps marked the neighbouring country's "deranged fantasy".

"The gurdwara in Poonch in particular was attacked by Pakistan and some local members of the Sikh community lost their lives in this incident," Misri said.

Jaish responsible for murder of Daniel Pearl, says Misri
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Instead of owning up to these attacks, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claim that it was the Indian armed forces and IAF that was targeting cities like Amritsar and trying to put the blame on Pakistan," Misri said, adding that this was a desperate attempt by Pakistan to disown its acts of aggression.

Asked about the targeting of Bahawalpur, the headquarters of JeM , Misri said the terror group was in some way directly or indirectly responsible for the killing of journalist Daniel Pearl of the Wall Street Journal. "But the real connection is through Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh, the British-Pakistani jihadi who was held in India, but was finally released in 2000. He was the person who lured Daniel Pearl... eventually leading to his murder. So, these are all connected figures, connected individuals, connected institutions. And the attack on Bahawalpur, on that facility of JeM a fitting part of this unfortunate incident," Misri said.

The foreign secretary also condemned Pakistan's targeting in cross-LoC firing of Christ School in Poonch, run by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, a congregation. "Tragically, the shell fired from Pakistan hit the home of two students of Christ School. Both students unfortunately lost their lives and their parents were severely injured," he said, adding that another Pakistani shell struck a Christian convent of nuns belonging to the congregation of the Mother of Carmel, damaging water tanks and destroying solar panel infrastructure.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport resumed normal operations in the early hours of Saturday and issued an advisory to passengers amid heightened security preparedness due to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
In its latest travel advisory, the airport said, "Delhi Airport operations are normal at present. However, due to changing airspace conditions and increased security measures as per orders from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, some flight schedules might be impacted, and security checkpoint processing times could be longer."

The airport operator issued the advisory to passengers, which includes, "Stay informed with updates from their airlines. Follow hand baggage and check-in luggage rules. Arrive early to allow for potential delays at security checks. Cooperate with airline and security staff for smooth processing. Check flight status via their airline or the official Delhi Airport website."

"We encourage all passengers to rely on official sources for accurate information and avoid sharing unverified content," the advisory added.

Earlier, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across Northern and Western India for all civil flight operations.

The NOTAM is effective from May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025(which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons.

The list of 32 airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai.

Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, drones were spotted at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC), defence sources said on Friday.

The drones are suspected to be armed and pose potential threats to both civilian and military targets.

The locations where drones were spotted include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.

Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed to all types of flights from 3:15 am to 12:00 pm local time on May 10, the Pakistan Airports Authority announced.

Pakistan’s military on Saturday said that three of its air bases were struck by Indian missiles, including one located near the army’s headquarters on the outskirts of Islamabad.
“India, with its naked aggression has attacked with missiles. Nur Khan base, Murid base, and Shorkot base have been targeted,” said military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry during a live address on state television.

He issued a warning to India, saying, “Now you just wait for our response.”

The Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, situated roughly 10 kilometres from Islamabad, is in close proximity to the military's central command.

A temporary blackout has been imposed in Punjab’s Jalandhar following reports of drone sightings in the area, officials said.

“We have imposed a blackout for some time as some drones have been reportedly sighted in Jalandhar. Forces are checking. Please be calm and follow the blackout protocol,” said the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar.

India on Thursday night repelled 300 to 400 drones launched by Pakistan across the entire western front to target military and civilian establishments and then undertook a swift counter-strike against four air defence sites, even as deadly artillery duels led to soldiers being killed on both sides.

The Pakistani attack resumed on Friday night, with drones once again being spotted in 26 locations in a wide arc, ranging from Srinagar, Baramulla and Awantipora in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the international border and the Line of Control with Pakistan.

The locations targeted included Srinagar airport, Avantipora air base, Baramulla, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala.

"These included armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets," an officer said.

The attack on Srinagar airport followed one on Jammu the previous night.

While the armed forces neutralised the bulk of the drones with a variety of air defence weapons, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in severe injuries to members of a family.

On Thursday, the intrusion by drones, mainly Turkish but some also from China, came in three waves at 36 locations across the LoC and IB, stretching from Leh to Sir Creek, between 8pm and midnight.

Pakistan also used an armed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to target Bathinda military station, headquarters of the Army's 10 'Chetak Corps'. The UAV was swiftly detected and neutralised by Indian air defence systems.

After a relatively calm day, Pakistan resumed heavy shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in different sectors of J&K on Thursday night, killing a woman in Uri sector of Kashmir and a man in Poonch district of Jammu. At least six other civilians were injured and a large number of houses were damaged as Pakistani troops intensified artillery and mortar fire along the LoC. Officials said the firing by Pakistan attracted befitting and effective response from Indian troops.

Three members of a family were injured when a Pakistani artillery shell struck their SUV while they were fleeing home in Rajarwar village of Uri towards Baramulla. The shell tore through the roof of their vehicle when they reached Mohurra, around three km from Rajarwar, fatally injuring 45-year-old Nargis Bano. She died on her way to Govt Medical College in Baramulla, about 40 km from Uri.

Bano’s death is the first reported civilian casualty in Kashmir Valley in the latest round of ceasefire violation along the LoC. Her grief-stricken daughter described the shelling as sudden and overwhelming. “We had never seen anything like this before,” she said.

The villagers said they would move to Baramulla. “There is no safety here. We don’t have bunkers,” one of them said.

Elsewhere in Kashmir, one person was injured as Pakistan rained mortar shells in Kralpora, Chowkibal and Dollipora in Kupwara district.

In Jammu, a civilian was killed and three others were injured in shelling by Pakistan in forward areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts early Friday. Thunderous explosions were heard early morning, resulting in a blackout and hooting of sirens to alert the people, officials said.

The shelling targeting civilian areas in Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu districts continued for one hour from about 3:50 am to 4:45 am. One Mohd Abrar was killed in Loran area of Poonch, while his wife and two others were wounded.

Former Indian Ambassador Vidya Bhushan Soni On India Pakistan tension said, "It's sad that Pakistan has not learnt lessons from the past. Pakistan is not in a position to respond at all because it's a failed state that has been acknowledged for decades by all international agencies and world bodies. So, how are they going to respond when they are not ready for it? Which part of the government is ready? The civilian government is not in control. The terrorist forces are reigning supreme. Army chief makes statements which are hardly professional and not related to the reality on the ground situation. How could Pakistan take such a foolhardy step? They provoked India... Pahalgam is a very peaceful place where the accident happened... It was uncalled for and unnecessary. A message has to be sent to them because they keep doing it...We are a responsible nation. We have responded very responsibly and we have not taken any action which can be found at fault. So once they have taken the initiative, they have to be told that enough is enough. We are not going to we are not going to accept it anymore. So the response has been very calculated, very precise..."

Amidst escalating India-Pakistan tensions, as many as 32 airports will remain closed for civil flights till May 15 morning as per the latest directions from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Air India and IndiGo have shared on X (formerly Twitter) that their flights to some airports will continue to remain cancelled. The closure, effective until 05:29 hours of May 15, affects major airports including Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishengarh, Patiala, Shimla, Dharamsala, and Bathinda.

Additional airports impacted by this temporary suspension include strategic locations such as Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Leh, Bikaner, Pathankot, Jammu, Jamnagar, and Bhuj. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civil flight operations, effective from 9th to 14th May 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons.

Thirty-two airports will remain temporarily closed for civil flight operations till 5.29 am on May 15, the DGCA said in a statement early Saturday morning. These airports are: Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai.

“The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civil flight operations, effective from May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025 (which corresponds to 5.29 am on May 15, 2025), due to operational reasons. All civil flight activities at these airports will remain suspended during this period,” the DGCA statement said.

AAI has also extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) due to operational reasons. "As per NOTAM G0555/25 (which replaces G0525/25), the 25 route segments will remain unavailable from ground level to unlimited altitude until 5.29 am on May 15,” it said.

DGCA has accordingly advised “airlines and flight operators to plan alternate routings as per current air traffic advisories. The temporary closure is being managed in coordination with relevant ATC units to ensure safety and minimise disruption.”

In response to widespread airport shutdowns, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed the operation of special trains to assist stranded passengers, Northern Railways CPRO Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said on Friday.

“Today morning, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assessed the situation. Since many airports have been shut down, he gave instructions to run special trains for the people stranded in those places. Five special trains are being run from Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra for Delhi... The train which has just arrived in Delhi, was boarded by IPL players and their teams... These players boarded the train from Jalandhar...” he said.

Ministry of defence in a press release said, "Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala.

Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces.

The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary.

Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential."

As many as 300-400 drones were launched towards Indian positions by the Pakistan Army last night, which were sighted at 36 locations from Siachen base camp in Ladakh to Kutch area in Gujarat, the Defence sources said on Friday.

The Indian Armed Forces successfully thwarted the attack attempts and neutralised the drones.

"Most of the drones were unarmed. The drones were fitted with cameras and possibly relaying footage to their ground stations. The Indian air defence systems took out almost all the drones which could have caused damage to infrastructure," added defence sources.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted a review of the country's current security situation at South Block, which houses the Ministry of Defence, in the national capital, in the aftermath of the foiled large-scale drone strike by Pakistan on Thursday.

The meeting came in the wake of Pakistan's attempted retaliation following Operation Sindoor, where the Indian Armed Forces targeted nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday. The operation was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army during the intervening night of May 8 and May 9 successfully repelled and responded to multiple drone attacks by Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Army said, "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 ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and a befitting reply was given to the CFVs. Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force."

The indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile air defence system has played a crucial role in thwarting Pakistani drone attacks targeting Indian assets on Thursday, according to defence officials. Officials added that the Indian Army and Air Force have deployed the missile system along the Pakistan border.

In response to drone attacks on Indian cities by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), the Indian Army is taking firm action in the Jammu sector, defence sources said.

“Indian Army is retaliating strongly opposite the Jammu sector in view of the drone attacks on Indian cities by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB),” said defence sources.

Amid the India-Pakistan tension, authorities in Jodhpur have imposed a ban on drone operations across the district without prior permission. The directive, issued under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defence Code, 2023, aims to safeguard national security.

An order issued by the Jodhpur Deputy Commissioner Of Police on Friday, read, "In view of the current circumstances, due to Jodhpur city being located near the Indo-Pak border and being strategically important, drone operation in the entire Jodhpur Commissionerate jurisdiction has been prohibited without permission in the entire Jodhpur Commissionerate jurisdiction by this office order No. PU.A-Jodh/Avisha/Sang/2025/966 dated 09.05.2025 under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defence Code, 2023 in view of national security."

Drone operators in the region have been instructed to deposit their drones at the nearest police stations immediately, failing which legal action will be taken as per regulations.

"Therefore, in the said order, all drone operators/holders of Jodhpur Commissionerate are directed to ensure that the drones held by them are deposited in the concerned/nearest police stations today itself with immediate effect. If the drone is not deposited by any operator/holder, action will be taken against him as per rules," the order read.

Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan after the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Wednesday (May 7th), targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).

This operation was a retaliatory response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national.

Operation Sindoor is one of the deepest strikes carried out by India inside Pakistan's undisputed territory since 1971, successfully targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This marks New Delhi's most significant military action within Pakistani territory in over five decades.

The father of Murali Naik, a soldier from Andhra Pradesh who laid down his life during the cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, on Friday said his son joined the Army despite his opposition as he wanted to serve the nation. He said his 23-year-old son wanted to don the army uniform for at least a year. Murali, who was selected in the army as an Agniveer in 2022, died in the line of duty in the early hours of Friday.


Talking to reporters at his residence in Kamraj Nagar locality in Mumbai's Ghatkopar, Murali's father Shriram Naik said his son had undergone military training at Deolali in Nashik. Murali was their only son, he said. "Murali's aim was to serve the country. He joined the army despite my opposition. He just wanted to wear the army uniform for at least a year," said Naik, who could not hold back his emotions.


Although Murali was posted in Jammu and Kashmir as part of 'Operation Sindoor', he had told his parents that he was stationed in Punjab so that they do not panic in view of the prevailing Indo-Pak conflict, he added. "We got this terrible news at 9 am when army officials called us. My wife broke down when she heard it was our Murali who had been killed in the morning firing...Just yesterday at 8 am, he had videocalled us and enquired about us. He said he was going to rest that day. And now we've lost him. I still cannot believe it," he said.



Murali had completed his training at Deolali in Nashik. He was first posted in Sikkim and was later sent to Kashmir, he added. He was the primary breadwinner for the family as his father works as a daily wage worker while his mother is a domestic help. The family has been living in Kamraj Nagar for the last 32 years, a resident said. Shridhar Naik, who lives in the same locality in Ghatkopar, remembered Murali as someone who was always passionate about joining the army. "He wanted to join the army but his parents resisted the move. So he quietly went for the recruitment drive. It was only after he was selected that he told his parents who had accepted his decision unwillingly," he said. He was born in Kamgar Nagar in Ghatkopar East, where he also grew up.

He later went to his native village to pursue education, Shridhar said. The family had gone to their native village in Kallitanda in Sri Sathyasai district of Andhra Pradesh just a week ago to attend a village fair, according to him. "His father received a call about his death in the morning and the news soon spread like a wildfire," Shridhar said. He said Murali's mortal remains are likely to be brought to his native village and many people in the area will also be reaching there to pay their last respect.


Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu paid his respects to the martyred jawan. The chief minister noted that Naik hailed from Gorantla mandal in Sri Satyasai district. "My homage to martyr Murali Naik who sacrificed his life for the country. I extend my deep sympathies to his family members," Naidu said in a post on 'X'.


Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered condolences to him. "Though his native place is in Andhra Pradesh, his family has long been settled in Mumbai. We extend our deepest condolences and share their sorrow," he said. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said Naik's supreme sacrifice will be remembered by the nation forever. "My condolences are with his family in this difficult time. Heartfelt tribute to Murli Naik," she said in a post on X.


Parag Shah, MLA representing the Ghatkopar East assembly segment, also paid tributes to Naik and said he made the supreme sacrifice for the protection of Mother India. "I and all the people of Ghatkopar share the grief of the Naik family and may the Naik family find strength to bear this immense grief. Om Shanti. The nation will always remember the sacrifice of martyred late Murali Naik," Shah said in a post on X.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved the immediate disbursement of about USD 1 billion to Pakistan under the ongoing Extended Fund Faci­li­ty, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) here said. "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the approval of a USD 1bn dollar instalment for Pakistan by the IMF and the failure of India's high-handed tactics against it," according to a statement issued by his office.

India earlier raised concerns over the efficacy of IMF programmes in the case of Pakistan, given its poor track record, and also on the possibility of misuse of debt financing funds for state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

New Delhi opposed the IMF's proposal to extend fresh loans of USD 2.3 billion to Pakistan, saying they could be misused for financing state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

India registered its protest at the board of IMF, which met on Friday to review the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) lending programme (USD 1 billion) and also considered a fresh Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) lending programme (USD 1.3 billion) for Pakistan.

New Delhi abstained from voting at the crucial IMF meeting.

India pointed out that rewarding continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism sends a dangerous message to the global community, exposes funding agencies and donors to reputational risks, and makes a mockery of global values, the Indian finance ministry said in a statement.

India's opposition at the IMF comes at a time when military conflict between India and Pakistan has intensified.

The statement issued by the PM office in Islamabad said Pakistan's "economic situation has improved, and the country is moving towards development. India is plotting a conspiracy to divert attention from our country's development through unilateral aggression."

"Indian attempts to sabotage the IMF programme have failed," the statement said, adding that the IMF programme would help stabilise the economy and put it on the path towards long-term recovery.

"We are working on priority areas such as tax reform, improved energy sector performance and private sector development. The improved economic indicators in the last 14 months are a reflection of the government's positive policies," it said.

The approval of the IMF's executive board has led to an immediate disbursement of USD 1 billion, bringing total disbursements under the loan programme to about USD 2 billion.

On successful completion of seven half-yearly reviews, Pakistan is entitled to seven equal instalments of about USD 1 billion under the loan programme.

Pakis­tan and the IMF had reached a three-year, USD 7 billion aid package deal in July last with the new programme set to allow the country to cement macroeconomic stability and create conditions for stronger, more inclusive and resilient growth.

The IMF and Pakistan had reached a staff-level agreement on March 25 on the first biannual review of the 39-month USD 7 billion loan programme, agreeing on a series of reforms including the introduction of a carbon levy, timely revisions to electricity tariffs, increased water pricing and liberalisation of the automobile sector.

Drone attacks on several installations, including Srinagar airport and south Kashmir's Awantipora air base, were thwarted late on Friday, News agency PTI reported quoting officials. The attacks came a day after India scuppered attempts by the Pakistan military to hit Indian military installations with drones and missiles, they said.

Drones have been sighted at 26 locations from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along the International Border and the Line of Control, officials said.

Locations where these sightings were made, include Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.

A drone was noticed flying over the Srinagar airport at around 9 pm, prompting a blackout to neutralise the attack, officials said.

The drone was shot down by the military. The explosions, however, sent panic among the locals.

Another drone was shot down near the Awantipora air base in south Kashmir, officials said.

Drone attacks were also foiled in north Kashmir's Baramulla and Kupwara districts close to some sensitive installations, officials said.

An armed drone, however, succeeded in hitting a civilian area in Punjab's Ferozpur, resulting in severe injuries to members of a local family, officials said.

The wounded were tended to medically, and the area was sanitised, they said.

Earlier in the evening, blasts were heard and sirens blared in the Jammu region and south Kashmir as many parts of Jammu and Kashmir plunged into darkness, officials said.

Defence officials said drones were also sighted in Jammu, Samba and neighbouring Pathankot district in Punjab, and they were being engaged.

In Srinagar, mosque loudspeakers were used to convey to locals to switch off their lights as a precautionary measure.

Officials said drones were also engaged in Udhampur and Nagrota of Jammu and Punjab.

Tension between the two neighbours soared after the Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

The United States is actively engaged in efforts to mediate the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, with top officials in regular contact with both sides, the White House said.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “This is something that the Secretary of State and now our NSA as well, Marco Rubio, has been involved in. The President has expressed that he wants this to de-escalate as quickly as possible. He understands these two countries have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here at the Oval Office. However, he has good relations with the leaders of both countries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in constant communication with the leaders of both countries, trying to bring this conflict to an end.”

Drones have been sighted at 26 locations ranging from the Baramulla in the North to Bhuj in the South, along both the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets, defence officials said.

The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala.

Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozepur, resulting in severe injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces.

The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch, and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary.

Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential.

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the central government on Friday directed states to take strict action against hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities to prevent any surge in prices.

In a meeting with state food secretaries, the Centre emphasized the need to reassure the public about the availability of food supplies and to curb panic-driven buying. Officials stated that there is ample stock of essential goods, and retail inflation has dropped to a five-and-a-half-year low of 3.3%, largely due to declining food prices.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has also written to chief secretaries, urging them to closely monitor the prices of key items such as pulses, wheat, rice, vegetables, edible oils, and other essentials to maintain market stability and consumer confidence.

"As a precautionary measure, a blackout has been imposed in the villages of bordering Santalpur taluka in Patan district. All the citizens are advised to stay away from rumours and follow the instructions issued by administration from time to time," the CMO said.

This comes a day after Indian Armed Forces successfully foiled attack attempts at Jammu airport.

Tensions escalated across Jammu and Kashmir as loud blasts were heard and sirens blared in several areas, plunging large parts of the Union territory into darkness, officials reported. Explosions were particularly noted near the Awantipora air base in south Kashmir, heightening alarm across the region.

Defence officials confirmed drone sightings in Jammu, Samba, and the adjoining Pathankot district in Punjab, adding that security forces were actively engaging the aerial threats. In Srinagar, mosque loudspeakers were used to advise residents to turn off their lights as a safety precaution.

The drone activity comes just a day after India successfully intercepted an attempted assault by the Pakistani military involving drones and missiles targeting military installations. The fresh alerts reflect ongoing concerns about further provocations and the need for heightened vigilance.

There are also reports of drone explosion in Ferozepur.