Following days of intense cross-border shelling, drone incursions, and retaliatory airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army has confirmed a rare moment of calm. The intervening night of May 11 and 12 remained largely peaceful along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC), including Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat, which had previously witnessed severe hostilities.
“No incident has been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days,” the Indian Army noted.
Backdrop: Operation Sindoor
The peace follows India’s bold Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in direct response to the April 22 terrorist attacks. The operation saw calibrated strikes on terror camps and military infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In a joint military press briefing held on May 11, key military leaders outlined the strategic scope of the Indian response:
- Over 100 terrorists were neutralized.
- 11 Pakistani air bases were hit, including:
- Chaklala
- Rafiq
- Rahim Yar Khan
- Sargodha
- Bhulari
- Jacobabad
- The strikes were deliberate and restrained, targeting only military assets to avoid civilian casualties.
Pakistan’s Drone Attack and Indian Response
On May 8–9, Pakistan retaliated with a massive drone attack from Srinagar to Naliya beginning at 10:30 p.m., aiming to provoke a larger escalation.
“Indian air defence systems were fully prepared and neutralised the threat,” said Air Marshal A K Bharti, stressing India’s restraint and precision.
“Our aim was to instil good wisdom in our adversary. We avoided civilian and collateral damage entirely.”
Terror Targets Eliminated
Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai, Director General Military Operations, highlighted that the targeted strikes eliminated:
- Key handlers of the 1999 IC-814 hijacking
- Operatives responsible for the 2019 Pulwama attack
- Over 100 terrorists entrenched in PoK and deep Pakistani territory
Current Status & Strategic Messaging
The sudden calm on the night of May 11 signals a temporary de-escalation, though military officials stressed vigilance remains high.
“This is cessation of military operations, not a ceasefire,” said General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.), cautioning that Pakistan’s future response needs close monitoring.
What Lies Ahead?
The situation along the IB remains fragile. While India’s military objectives were achieved with precision, any misstep from across the border could quickly unravel the calm.
Key Takeaways:
- First peaceful night reported since Operation Sindoor began on May 7.
- Indian forces hit 11 Pakistani airbases in a swift, calibrated operation.
- Over 100 terrorists eliminated, including those linked to high-profile past attacks.
- Drone attack from Pakistan on May 8–9 neutralized by Indian air defence.
- Army confirms cessation of operations, not an official ceasefire.