On May 10, 2025, the world watched as Pakistan launched a military operation named Operation Bunyan al-Marsous against India. This operation was a bold response to Indian attacks on Pakistani airbases just a day earlier. For students in 8th and 9th grade, understanding this event means looking at why it happened, what took place, and what it means for the world. Let’s break it down simply and clearly.
Operation Bunyan al-Marsous was a military strike carried out by Pakistan on May 10, 2025, targeting Indian military installations. The name “Bunyan al-Marsous” comes from a verse in the Quran, Surah Al-Saff (61:4), which translates to “a structure firmly joined together.” This name was chosen to symbolize Pakistan’s unity and strength as a nation standing together against a perceived threat.
The operation was launched early in the morning, around 3:45 AM Pakistan time, and involved a combination of advanced weapons and tactics. It was Pakistan’s way of responding to Indian aggression and showing that it could defend itself.
India and Pakistan have been rivals for decades, mainly because of a region called Kashmir, which both countries claim as their own. This disagreement has led to wars, smaller conflicts, and ongoing tensions. On May 9, 2025, India escalated the situation by launching missile and drone strikes on Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot. According to Pakistan, these attacks killed 33 people, which was seen as a serious act of aggression.
Pakistan felt it had to respond to protect its sovereignty and to send a message that it wouldn’t tolerate such attacks. That’s why they launched Operation Bunyan al-Marsous the very next day.
Operation Bunyan al-Marsous was a carefully planned attack that used a mix of modern military technology. Here’s what Pakistan did:
- Ballistic Missiles: Pakistan fired Fatah-II/Al-Fatah ballistic missiles, which are powerful rockets that can travel long distances and hit specific targets.
- Armed Drones: These are like remote-controlled planes that carry weapons, allowing Pakistan to strike from a distance.
- JF-17 Fighter Jets: These planes were equipped with hypersonic missiles, which are super-fast and hard to stop.
- Cyber-Attacks: Pakistan also attacked India’s computer systems, causing power outages in northern India and defacing government websites.
The targets were all military installations in northern India, chosen to weaken India’s ability to launch further attacks. These included:
| Target | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pathankot Air Force Station | Punjab, India | Major airbase for Indian fighter jets |
| Udhampur Air Force Station | Jammu-Kashmir, India | Key airbase in a sensitive region |
| Adampur Air Force Station | Punjab, India | Allegedly housed an S-400 air defense system |
| BrahMos Missile Depots | Beas and Nagrota | Storage for India’s advanced missiles |
| Brigade Facilities | Uri and Rajouri | Military command and supply centers |
Pakistan aimed to hit these targets to show its military strength while avoiding civilian areas, according to reports.
The operation caused “dozens” of casualties on both sides, but exact numbers are unclear because India and Pakistan have different accounts. India claimed that most of Pakistan’s missiles and drones were intercepted, and there was only “limited damage” to their bases. Pakistan, on the other hand, said they successfully hit several key targets.
The operation also affected civilians in both countries:
- Airspace Closures: Pakistan closed its airspace from 3:15 AM on May 10 until noon the next day, stopping all flights. India suspended flights at 32 northern airports.
- Power and Internet Outages: Parts of Indian Punjab lost power, and some areas in Jammu and Kashmir had no internet access.
- Casualties: By the afternoon of May 10, 2025, 48 fatalities were reported, though it’s not clear how many were soldiers versus civilians.
Both countries accused each other of escalating the conflict, but they also said they were willing to stop fighting if the other side did too.
When two countries with nuclear weapons, like India and Pakistan, start fighting, the world gets worried. Here’s how different countries and groups responded:
- United States: Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both countries to talk directly and avoid more fighting (Reuters).
- G7: This group of powerful nations called for de-escalation to prevent a larger conflict (Reuters).
- United Kingdom: They also asked for calm and dialogue (Reuters).
- China: A close ally of Pakistan, China called the strikes “regrettable” and urged restraint (Reuters).
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC): They supported Pakistan’s actions but encouraged diplomacy (Reuters).
- European Union: They warned that a bigger conflict could have “severe regional and global consequences” (Reuters).
The global response shows how serious this situation was, especially because both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons, which could make any conflict extremely dangerous.
Operation Bunyan al-Marsous is a big deal because it shows how quickly tensions between India and Pakistan can turn into military action. The use of advanced weapons like ballistic missiles and cyberattacks also shows how modern warfare is changing. For people in the region, this event is a reminder of the constant risk of conflict. For the rest of the world, it’s a warning about the dangers of escalation between nuclear-armed countries.
The operation also highlights the importance of diplomacy. While both countries showed they could fight, the international community’s call for talks suggests that finding peaceful solutions is the best way to avoid bigger problems.
As of May 10, 2025, both India and Pakistan have said they’re open to stopping the fighting, but the situation is still tense. The history of their rivalry suggests that trust is low, and small incidents could lead to more conflicts. The world is hoping that both sides will choose dialogue over further military action.
Operation Bunyan al-Marsous was Pakistan’s strong response to Indian attacks on its airbases in May 2025. Using missiles, drones, fighter jets, and cyberattacks, Pakistan targeted Indian military sites to show its strength and defend its sovereignty. While the damage was reported as limited, the operation raised global concerns about the risk of escalation between two nuclear-armed nations. The international community has called for calm and talks, hoping to prevent further conflict in this volatile region. Understanding this event helps us see the challenges of maintaining peace in a world where tensions can flare up quickly.