In a significant escalation, India neutralised Pakistan’s air defence system in Lahore following a series of attempted drone and missile strikes by Pakistan on Indian military installations. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the retaliation on Thursday, stating that the response matched Pakistan’s aggression in both domain and intensity.
On the intervening night of May 7–8, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks targeting multiple Indian locations including Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bhuj. However, India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed these threats. Debris recovered from various sites confirmed the attempted strikes.
In a calibrated and proportionate response, the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes on several Pakistani targets, including key air defence systems. One of the notable targets was the HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system in Lahore, a Chinese-origin system critical to Pakistan’s aerial defence.
Pakistan also intensified shelling along the Line of Control using mortars and heavy artillery in areas such as Kupwara, Poonch, and Rajouri, resulting in the death of 16 civilians, including women and children.
India reiterated that its response was defensive and aimed at halting further provocation. The Ministry of Defence underlined India’s commitment to non-escalation—provided Pakistan shows equal restraint and ceases its unprovoked hostilities.
