Pakistan has launched Operation Banyan Marsus: India and Pakistan Exchange Missile Strikes Amid Rising Tensions
In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, India and Pakistan launched missiles at each other’s air bases, marking a dangerous new chapter in their already fraught relationship. The strikes on the morning of May 10 underscored how close the nuclear-armed neighbours are to veering toward full-scale war.
Read more: Pakistan launches Operation Banyan Marsus, attacking Indian airbases with long-range missile: Bypassing Air Defense Systems: Expert WarnsAccording to Islamabad, this was the fourth consecutive night of Indian attacks on its territory. Pakistan claimed that three of its major airbases were targeted by ballistic missiles. In response, Pakistan launched its largest military retaliation in years: Operation Banyan Marsus — an Arabic phrase meaning “a structure made of lead”.
Meanwhile, New Delhi accused Islamabad of initiating aggression and claimed its strikes were purely retaliatory. Indian military officials maintained that Pakistan had fired on several Indian military installations, forcing India to respond.
Key Details of the Escalation
What Happened on May 10?
Pakistan said India began by launching drones into its territory, followed by ballistic missile strikes on key airbases:
- Nur Khan Airbase (Rawalpindi): A crucial operational and training hub for the Pakistan Air Force, supporting logistics, transport, and VIP flights.
- Murid Airbase (Chakwal): An advanced forward-operating base, essential for air defence and rapid response.
- Rafiqui Airbase (Shorkot, Punjab): Hosts Pakistan’s fighter squadrons.
- In response, Pakistan claimed to have struck multiple Indian military installations, including:
- Udhampur Airbase: HQ of India’s Northern Command, located in India-administered Kashmir.
- Pathankot Airbase (Punjab): A frontline base previously attacked by militants in 2016.
- Drangyari Artillery Site (Jammu & Kashmir): A strategically vital artillery post nestled in the mountains, pivotal for ground fire support.
- Uri Field Support Depot (Kashmir): A heavily fortified Indian Army base, scarred by a brutal 2016 militant assault that claimed 19 soldiers’ lives. Nagrota (Jammu): Home to stockpiles of Indo-Russian BrahMos missiles.
- Beas (Punjab): Another BrahMos missile storage site.
- Adampur Airbase (Punjab): A frontline Indian Air Force station, now fortified with the cutting-edge S-400 missile defence system acquired from Russia.
- Bhuj Airbase (Gujarat): Located in PM Narendra Modi’s home state.
What Has India Said?
At a press briefing, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of provoking the conflict. Alongside him were Col. Sofia Qureshi (Indian Army) and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh (Indian Air Force), who provided further details.
They accused Pakistan of targeting civilian zones and military infrastructure using drones, long-range missiles, loitering munitions, and jets. Qureshi detailed how Pakistan used drones and unleashed heavy artillery barrages across the Line of Control, intensifying the cross-border conflict.
While India claimed to have intercepted most incoming attacks, it admitted to “limited damage” at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj airbases. To counter Pakistan’s claims of heavy losses, India released timestamped images showing minimal damage.
Still, Indian officials acknowledged that five people were killed in Pakistan’s missile strikes on May 10.
As tensions soared, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called both Pakistani military chief Gen. Asim Munir and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The U.S. urged both nations to de-escalate and offered assistance in initiating dialogue.
How Did This Begin?
The current flare-up traces back to a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 tourists — all civilians — were killed. India blamed Pakistan-backed militants, though Islamabad denied involvement and called for an international probe, which India refused.
Witness accounts said the attackers separated men and women, then executed non-Muslims — a chilling reminder of sectarian violence. India responded on May 7 with Operation Sindoor, targeting what it called terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. New Delhi claimed it killed over 100 militants.
Pakistan stated that 33 civilians, including several children, died in India’s airstrikes and denied any militant casualties. As tensions grew, Pakistan deployed its air force, engaging directly with the Indian Air Force.
Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian jets, including three advanced Rafales — though India has not confirmed or denied this.
Drone Warfare Intensifies
India retaliated on May 9 and 10, striking over a dozen targets across major Pakistani cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi using drones and loitering weapons. India framed these as a response to Pakistan’s prior drone use, which Islamabad denies.
During a press briefing, Pakistani military spokesman Lt Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry accused India of fabricating evidence and warned of retaliation “at a time, place, and manner of our choosing.” That moment came on May 10.
What is Operation Banyan Marsus?
The name of Pakistan’s retaliation — Operation Banyan Marsus — is derived from a Qur’anic phrase meaning “a structure made of lead”. It symbolises strength, unity, and divine purpose, portraying Pakistani forces as steadfast and unyielding in the face of mounting aggression. What’s Next?
Strategic experts warn of irreversible consequences unless de-escalation happens immediately. India has signalled its willingness to pause if Pakistan also holds back.
But analysts say the stakes are higher than ever.
“The attacks on Pakistani airbases, including Pindi and Sargodha, have taken this conflict to a new level,” said Kamran Bokhari from the New Lines Institute.
“We are now staring at the possibility of a large-scale war.”
Dr. Muhammad Faisal, a South Asia security analyst in Sydney, cautioned that Pakistan could now opt for long-range missile strikes on Indian airbases—moves designed to slip past India’s air defence shield.
