Pakistan’s military has launched a comprehensive counter-offensive, codenamed Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, in retaliation against a series of missile, air, and drone strikes by India. The operation is a direct response to the escalating hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, particularly following India’s unprovoked attacks on Pakistani airbases on May 7.
The escalation began when at least 31 Pakistani civilians were killed in a cross-border attack, which Pakistan described as part of India’s ongoing provocative actions. In retaliation, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale jets, and intercepted numerous drones sent by India, marking a significant military response.
Key Targets Hit in Pakistan’s Retaliatory Strikes
In Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, Pakistan targeted multiple Indian military installations, including key airbases and supply depots. The Pakistani military successfully struck the Pathankot and Udhampur airbases, as well as military assets in Gujarat and Rajasthan. At Udhampur, Pakistan launched a barrage of Fateh-1 missiles, each with a range of 120 km, successfully hitting their targets.
آپریشن بُنْيَانٌ مَّرْصُوْص (آہنی دیوار)اپڈیٹ
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 10, 2025
پاکستان کا بھارت کومنہ توڑ جواب جاری
افواجِ پاکستان مکمل تیار، دشمن کے ناپاک عزائم کو خاک میں ملا دیا
افواجِ پاکستان کا دشمن کو منہ توڑ جواب ، بھارت میں چھائے سناٹے میں دیکھا جا سکتا ہے
جذبہ شہادت سے سرشار پاک فوج کے جوان… pic.twitter.com/FdOslzT8pt
Pakistan also destroyed critical Indian infrastructure, including a Brigade Headquarters and a supply depot in Uri. Additionally, Pakistan’s retaliation extended to cyber warfare, where it executed a major cyberattack, taking down several high-profile Indian websites, including the official site of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Mahanagar Telecommunication Corporation Limited (MTCL).
Pakistan Targets India’s S-400 System
A major success for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) came with the destruction of India’s $1.5 billion S-400 air defense system at the Adampur airbase. The strike, which involved hypersonic missiles fired from Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder jets, also caused significant damage to the airbase itself.
Pakistan’s armed forces also targeted the Bathinda, Halwara, and Sirsa airfields, marking deeper penetration into Indian airspace and military zones. These strikes are being seen as a strategic move by Pakistan to undermine India’s operational capabilities and retaliate for India’s missile strikes on Pakistani territory.
Cyberattack Disrupts India’s Power Grid
In addition to physical strikes, Pakistan launched a cyberoffensive, which successfully disabled 70% of India’s power grid, particularly impacting the Maharashtra region. The cyberattack led to widespread blackouts, affecting both commercial and residential power supplies. The attack also erased critical data, including electricity meters for homes and businesses, further complicating India’s response efforts.
International and Regional Reactions
The international community has expressed growing concern over the escalating conflict. The Group of Seven (G7) countries issued a statement calling for maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan, urging direct dialogue to prevent further escalation. “We strongly condemn the deadly attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir on April 22 and urge both sides to de-escalate immediately,” the statement read.
The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, which both claim the Kashmir region in full but control only parts of it, have resulted in repeated military clashes since India’s missile strikes on Pakistan earlier this week. While India claims the strikes were retaliation for the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, Pakistan denies involvement and has vowed to retaliate for the deaths of its civilians.
Pakistan’s Call for Peace
Amidst the rising hostilities, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has reiterated that the country is prepared to de-escalate and is willing to halt military actions if India does the same. “If India stops here, we will consider stopping as well,” the minister stated during a televised interview. However, as tensions continue to mount, both countries have intensified their military posturing, making it crucial for diplomatic channels to remain open to avoid a full-scale conflict.
The Path Ahead
As both India and Pakistan prepare for what could be an extended period of military engagements, global powers, particularly the United States and China, are closely monitoring the situation. Experts are concerned that the conflict, if not carefully managed, could spiral into a broader regional crisis, with implications for global security.
