In a sharp escalation of hostilities, India launched retaliatory strikes on multiple air defence systems and military targets in Pakistan after intercepting a wave of drone and missile attacks directed at Indian military bases and civilian areas. The attacks from across the border began in the early hours of Thursday and resumed after nightfall.
“Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border on the intervening night of May 8 and 9. Pakistani troops also carried out numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Indian Army said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The drone attacks were effectively repulsed, and a befitting reply was given to the CFVs.”
OPERATION SINDOOR
Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and… pic.twitter.com/9YcW2hSwi5
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 9, 2025
As night fell, Pakistan reportedly intensified its attacks, targeting several locations including the Jaisalmer Air Base, Amritsar, and military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. Civilian areas such as Samba and Arnia were also affected. Explosions near the heavily guarded Jammu airport triggered panic in the city.
“Military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, located close to the International Boundary in Jammu and Kashmir, were targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses have been reported. The threats were neutralised by Indian Armed Forces in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures,” the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) said in a separate post on X.
Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu & Kashmir targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones.
No losses.
Threat neutralised by #IndianArmedForces as per SoP with kinetic & non-kinetic means.#OpSindoor… pic.twitter.com/TZlU9BSR9U
— HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) May 8, 2025
India’s retaliatory response included precision drone strikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF), which reportedly destroyed a Chinese-origin HQ-9 surface-to-air missile and radar system in Lahore.
In an official statement, the Indian government accused Pakistan of attempting to “engage a number of military targets in northern and western India” using drones and missiles. These threats were neutralised by India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) Grid and Air Defence systems. The statement also noted that debris from the intercepted munitions was being recovered to serve as evidence of the Pakistani attacks.
Indian forces targeted air defence radars and missile systems “at a number of locations” inside Pakistan, the statement said. “It has been reliably learnt that an air-defence system at Lahore has been neutralised,” it added, referring to Pakistan’s second-largest city.
Operation Sindoor
Pakistan's Bid to Escalate Negated- Proportionate Response by India.https://t.co/E6e65goX9R#OperationSindoor@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India pic.twitter.com/mURL8hplRA
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 8, 2025
A drone was brought down, on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan May 8, 2025
An integrated air defence system typically consists of radars, command-and-control centres, and surface-to-air missiles, providing a multilayered shield against aerial threats such as drones, aircraft, and missiles. Reports suggest that Indian forces employed Israeli-made Harpy loitering munitions—also known as “kamikaze drones”—in the strike on the Lahore site.
Following the Indian response, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that while India has always exercised restraint and sought peaceful solutions through dialogue, it will not hesitate to act decisively if provoked. “If anyone tries to take advantage of our restraint, they will face the same quality of action as yesterday,” he said.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
