In an official statement issued on May 8, 2025, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that sixteen innocent civilians, including three women and five children, have lost their lives due to unprovoked Pakistani firing across the Line of Control (LoC). The affected regions include Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir
The escalation follows Pakistan’s failed attempt to target multiple Indian military sites in areas such as Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj using drones and missiles. According to the Ministry, these threats were neutralised by India’s Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems, and debris from the attacks is being recovered to establish proof of Pakistan’s involvement
In response, Indian Armed Forces conducted targeted counterstrikes on Pakistan’s air defence radars and systems, with confirmed damage to an air defence unit in Lahore.
Despite the loss of civilian lives, India reiterated its commitment to a non-escalatory posture, asserting that any further provocation would be met with appropriate military response.
