Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a sharp escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, drones have been spotted in multiple regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat’s Kutch, Punjab, and Rajasthan following Pakistan’s violation of a recently brokered ceasefire agreement. India’s air defence systems have successfully intercepted several drones, while sirens and blackouts were enforced in various districts to ensure public safety.
Despite a ceasefire deal mediated by the United States and announced by President Donald Trump, which was later confirmed by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, military hostilities have resumed. The agreement had included a halt to all military actions on land, air, and sea.
India, however, has declared that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance and that the ban on visas for Pakistani nationals will stay in place.
In a joint press briefing, Air Commodore Raghu Nair of the Ministry of Defence emphasized that India remains committed to the ceasefire but will not compromise on its sovereignty. “Our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation,” he stated.
Earlier on Saturday, the Indian Air Force launched airstrikes on eight military installations across Pakistan, targeting radar units and ammunition depots, in retaliation for Pakistani military attacks on Indian bases and civilian areas. Multiple explosions were reported in Jammu, Srinagar, and Udhampur in the early hours.
Tragically, shelling in Rajouri resulted in the death of Raj Kumar Thapa, the Additional District Development Commissioner. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the affected areas and offered condolences to Thapa’s family.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the suspension of civil operations at 32 airports till 5:29 am on May 15. Additionally, the Airports Authority of India has extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service routes within Delhi and Mumbai FIRs due to operational concerns.
The escalation follows India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Union Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed in an all-party meeting that at least 100 terrorists were neutralized during the operation.
