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India strikes Pakistani air defence systems after drone and missile attacks on 15 Indian cities
In a sudden turn of hostilities, India made a strong counter-offensive on May 8, attacking several air defence installations deep within Pakistan, hours after Pakistan hit Indian military areas with drones and missiles in 15 cities. India’s retaliatory attack, as part of Operation Sindoor, is the country’s largest military retaliation against Pakistan in more than half a century.
Lahore Air Defence System Destroyed
As part of a well-coordinated early morning raid, the Indian Armed Forces disabled important Pakistani air defence facilities, including one major system at Lahore. “The Indian reaction has met the scale and territory of Pakistan’s aggression,” said the Ministry of Defence in a release. “A major radar facility at Lahore was effectively knocked out.
The attack came in the wake of India’s May 7 attacks on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir targeting Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba bases. Operation Sindoor came as a direct response to the 26-civilian massacre in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistani Missiles, Drones Fail to Breach Indian Defences
During the evening of May 7–8, Pakistan sought to attack Indian military targets all over Northern and Western India through the use of drones and loitering weapons. Target cities included Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, and Bhuj.
But Indian Integrated Counter-UAS and air defence systems intercepted all approaching threats. “All aerial threats were nullified. Debris picked from several places reaffirms Pakistan’s involvement,” informed a defence official. Interceptor debris was especially observed in Amritsar.
LoC Tensions Explode, 16 Civilians Killed
In the meantime, Pakistan escalated unprovoked artillery firing along the Line of Control, focusing on Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri areas. Mortar and heavy-calibre artillery fire claimed the unfortunate lives of 16 civilians, including three women and five children.
India retaliated with intense counterfire to suppress Pakistani artillery positions. “We had no option but to respond to save our civilians from further aggression,” said the official.
India Threatens to Act Further if Aggrieved
Despite the growing conflict, India has indicated its resolve for non-escalation, provided Pakistan ends its provocations. “Our forces are dedicated to peace, but we will not shy away from defending the sovereignty of the nation,” the Defence Ministry stated.
As both sides have been firing at each other and the region is on high alert, Operation Sindoor has driven Indo-Pak tensions to a boiling point, raising global concern over the prospect of further escalation in South Asia.