Morning Brief: India Foils Attack On Military Bases; Navy Launches Retaliatory Operations In Arabian Sea: Report; Pakistani F-16, JF-17s Reportedly Shot Down; And More

India Foils Pakistani Attack On Military Bases

Pakistan launched another wave of attacks on India’s military facilities on Thursday evening, targeting areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat.

The offensive included airstrikes, artillery fire, and kamikaze drone attacks, primarily aimed at key military installations. India responded with a controlled yet firm counterattack, intercepting all incoming missiles and drones using its air defence systems.

"Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot & Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in J&K today. The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities," the Ministry of Defence said.

Blackouts were enforced across several border regions as a precaution, and civilian life was disrupted, including the cancellation of an IPL match in Dharamshala.

Indian Navy Launches Retaliatory Operations in Arabian Sea: Report

In response to Pakistan’s attempted missile and drone attacks on Indian territory, the Indian Navy has initiated targeted operations in the Arabian Sea, NDTV has reported. The operations began in the early hours of Friday, focusing on multiple Pakistani targets.

This marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with naval assets now actively engaged following Pakistan’s strikes on regions including J and K and Rajasthan.

While official details remain limited, the move signals a shift in India's military posture, extending its response beyond land and air.

The Navy’s actions are described as precise and measured, aligned with India's stated policy of firm retaliation within the same domain and intensity.

Pakistani F-16 Shot Down

An F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force was shot down by an Indian surface-to-air missile system near the Sargodha air base, reports say.

The jet had taken off from the heavily fortified Sargodha base, a key Pakistani Air Force installation located about 270 km from the international border.

The shootdown occurred amid Pakistan's failed attempt to target Jammu with drones and missiles. The F-16, a US-made supersonic jet and one of the mainstays of Pakistan's air fleet, was previously used during the 2019 post-Balakot escalation.

A report in India Today said "possibly two JF-17 jets" were also shot down.

These reports, however, haven't been confirmed by the government.

Other Developments

27 Indian Airports Shut Amid Tensions

Flightradar24 reported that the airspace over Pakistan and India’s western corridor, from Kashmir to Gujarat, was largely free of civilian aircraft as airlines avoided the sensitive zone. The closures, prompted by heightened Indo-Pak tensions, have led airlines like Air India and American Airlines to reroute or cancel flights, with some international flights diverted to Delhi.

India-Pakistan War “None of Our Business”: US VP Vance

US Vice President JD Vance stated that the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan is "fundamentally none of our business," while emphasising that the US will only engage through diplomatic channels to encourage de-escalation.

He made it clear that America cannot control or dictate the actions of either side and does not intend to intervene militarily. Vance expressed hope that the situation would not escalate into a broader regional or nuclear conflict, though he currently sees no indication of that happening.

Earlier, President Donald Trump echoed similar sentiments, urging both countries to "stop" their tit-for-tat actions and offering help if needed.

Indian FMCG Grows 11 Per Cent In March Quarter

The Indian FMCG industry achieved an 11 per cent value growth in the March quarter year-on-year, driven by a 5.1 per cent rise in volume and a 5.6 per cent increase in prices, with rural markets and smaller packs leading the surge, according to NielsenIQ.

Rural volume growth reached 8.4 per cent, nearly four times faster than urban growth at 2.6 per cent, though both slowed compared to the December quarter.

E-commerce channels gained prominence, particularly in the top eight metros, boosting volume through increased online shopper penetration and larger basket sizes, while offline modern trade saw a 3.3 per cent volume decline.

Food consumption growth dropped to 4.9 per cent due to high edible oil prices, but home and personal care segments grew 5.7 per cent, with strong rural demand.

Delhi HC Judge Faces Impeachment Over Cash Scandal

Justice Yashwant Varma, the Delhi High Court judge who faced scrutiny after a large sum of cash was recovered from his official residence following a fire on 14 March, has refused to resign despite a Supreme Court-appointed enquiry confirming the findings.

The enquiry panel’s report prompted Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to offer Varma the choice to resign or face impeachment proceedings, to which Varma responded defiantly, declining to step down. Chief Justice Khanna then sent the report and Varma’s response to the President and Prime Minister, initiating the parliamentary impeachment process for "proven misbehaviour" or "incapacity."

Following the cash recovery, Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya conducted a preliminary enquiry, withdrew Varma’s judicial duties, and transferred him to the Allahabad High Court without responsibilities.

American Cardinal Elected Pope

In a historic and unexpected decision, US Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV and becoming the first American pontiff.

The announcement came from French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti with the traditional "Habemus Papam" declaration, as Pope Leo appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after white smoke signaled his election.

At 69, Prevost, originally from Chicago, spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023. He succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away last month after 12 years of leading the Church.