Satyen Verma

India has accused Pakistan of endangering civilian lives by using passenger planes as shields during a failed drone and missile attack on May 7. Indian officials stated that Pakistan kept its airspace open, using civilian airliners as cover, despite knowing India would retaliate.

Thursday [May 8] was a day of intense fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours with attacks and counter-attacks using drones and missiles. India took out Lahore air defence in response to Pak’s foiled bid to hit 15 sites in north and west. By evening, skies in multiple Indian cities, including Jammu, Jaisalmer and Amritsar, lit up with India’s air defence system intercepting and destroying swarms of Pakistani drones and missiles

India responded firmly to Pakistan's drone and artillery attacks on May 7 and 8, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs. Pakistan initiated large-scale airspace violations, deploying hundreds of drones across the LoC and International Border. Indian forces retaliated with targeted drone strikes, destroying a Pakistani AD radar.

Operation Sindoor impact on air travel: Due to ongoing India-Pakistan tensions under 'Operation Sindoor', several airports in North and North-Western India remain closed, with flight cancellations extended until May 15 by airlines like Air India, IndiGo. For flight travel at other airports, passengers are being advised to arrive at airports at least three hours before departure due to enhanced security measures, including secondary ladder point checks and restricted visitor access.

Border villages in states like Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat saw people leaving as Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling in Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday in response to the strikes carried out by India.

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India has accused Pakistan of escalating tensions by launching hundreds of Turkish-made drones into Indian airspace, targeting military infrastructure and using civilian airliners as shields. Indian forces intercepted many drones, while Pakistan kept its airspace open, endangering commercial flights. India retaliated with strikes on air defense sites and terror launchpads, citing a prior terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan's targeting of religious sites and schools, calling it a new low. Pakistan's actions, including airspace violations and drone incursions, escalated tensions following India's Operation Sindoor. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi reported numerous airspace violations and drone attacks, with investigations underway to determine the drones' purpose and origin, further straining the already tense relationship.