India and Pakistan traded drone and missile attacks on Thursday, May 8, 2025, deepening their worst confrontation in over two decades.
Both nations accused each other of launching aggressive strikes, and Pakistan’s Defense Minister warned of an “increasingly certain” retaliation.
Pakistan claimed it shot down 25 Indian drones that violated its airspace.
The drones were reportedly targeting military sites in cities like Karachi and Lahore. One drone hit a military target near Lahore, injuring four Pakistan Army personnel.
The Pakistani military said the drones were Israeli-made, and the country has now recovered drone debris from several locations.
“India will continue to pay dearly for this naked aggression,” a military spokesperson warned.
India, in turn, said its air defense systems neutralized missile and drone attacks from Pakistan on military targets.
India also reported hitting air defense radars in Pakistan as part of its counterstrike.
“The Indian response has been in the same domain with the same intensity as Pakistan,” the Indian defense ministry stated.
Civilian casualties mount
The violence extended beyond military targets, with civilians bearing the brunt.
India reported 16 civilian deaths, including five children and three women, from Pakistani shelling across the ceasefire line in Kashmir.
Pakistan said 31 civilians were killed, and over 50 injured in cross-border shelling and strikes.
India also claimed that its recent strikes on Pakistan killed over 100 militants.
Pakistan countered by stating it had killed 40-50 Indian soldiers in Kashmir and destroyed several military installations.
Drones and missiles trade: Markets and bonds falls
The tensions triggered sharp reactions in the markets. Pakistan’s benchmark stock index plunged 6.3%, and bonds also saw losses.
On the Indian side, equities and the rupee also fell sharply.
Both countries, armed with nuclear weapons since the 1990, have fought three wars and countless skirmishes, mainly over the disputed region of Kashmir.
India-Pakistan diplomatic efforts
Despite the violence, there have been diplomatic efforts to avoid further escalation.
Pakistani officials confirmed ongoing communications between national security advisers, and military hotlines between the two nations remain open.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stressed that India would respond firmly to military attacks but hoped for de-escalation.
Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar also emphasized the need for dialogue to prevent further bloodshed.
Post Views: 16
