Pakistan Launches Hamas-Style Missile Attack on Jammu; All Intercepted By Indian Air Defence

In a sharp escalation of cross-border hostilities, Pakistan launched a coordinated missile and drone attack on multiple locations in Jammu and surrounding areas, using Hamas-style tactics, ANI reported Defence sources.

According to the sources, eight missiles were fired at strategic zones including Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia sectors in Jammu. All incoming projectiles were successfully intercepted by Indian air defence systems. The pattern of the attack, involving multiple low-cost rockets, closely resembled tactics employed by Hamas against Israel, sources told the news agency.

Pakistan is operating in a manner reminiscent of Hamas, behaving more like a terror outfit than a conventional military, a senior defence official said. The same sources revealed that last month, representatives of Pakistan's ISI had met with Hamas operatives in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Drone incursions were also reported and intercepted over Udhampur in Jammu and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Loud explosions and flashes were seen as Indian air defence engaged the hostile drones. In anticipation of further escalations, blackouts were enforced in several sensitive areas including Bikaner and Jalandhar, as well as parts of Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan such as Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Amritsar, and Samba.

Indian officials confirmed that loitering munitions, another hallmark of asymmetric warfare, were used in the attacks on Thursday. Indian air defence forces responded swiftly with retaliatory fire.

The attacks come just a day after India launched Operation Sindoor, a precision air strike mission targeting terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control in Pakistan and PoJK. The Indian government stated that the operation was a response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and emphasized that only non-civilian, non-military targets were hit.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the media, stating:"The original escalation was by Pakistan on the 22nd of April. We are the ones who are responding to that escalation with the action that was taken yesterday morning. And again, I would like to emphasize that the action was restrained; it was directed towards non-civilian, non-military targets; and confined to terrorist camps. And again, as we've been saying since yesterday, any further action by Pakistan, some of which we are seeing today is nothing but escalation by Pakistan now, once again, and will be responded to and is being responded to appropriately,"

In a high-level briefing to political leaders, the government revealed that more than 100 terrorists were neutralized during India's air strikes early Wednesday morning.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that on the night of May 7, Pakistan attempted to strike a series of military locations across Northern and Western India, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj using drones and missiles-all of which were thwarted by Indian defences.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar tweeted that he spoke with U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio, thanking Washington for its support.

"Deeply appreciate US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism. Underlined India's targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation."

On the other hand, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said: "Secretary Marco Rubio emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation and expressed U.S. support for direct India-Pakistan dialogue. He reiterated condolences for the Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation with India."