Indian Army: ‘Gave Fitting Response to Cross-Border Drone, Missile Strikes’
The Indian Army thwarted a major overnight drone and missile attack by Pakistan across Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab, asserting a “befitting reply” amid heightened cross-border tensions.
In a significant escalation, the Indian Army said on Friday it successfully neutralised over 50 swarm drones and repelled missile attacks launched from across the border by Pakistani forces. The coordinated assault targeted critical military installations and civilian areas across Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab.
The Indian response involved deployment of advanced counter-UAS systems including L-70 guns, Zu-23mm and Schilka weaponry. “The Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation,” the force said in a post on X.
A video released by the Army showed multiple drones being shot down in the Nagrota sector of Jammu. The Army also confirmed extensive damage to the incoming aerial threats through robust interception measures.
The Pakistani military began launching drones and missiles late Thursday, with the first reports of explosions emerging from Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, Akhnoor, and Nagrota. In Punjab, sirens were sounded and lights switched off in Pathankot as a precautionary measure.
Air defence sirens also rang across Baramulla and Kupwara in north Kashmir. The Indian Air Force maintained round-the-clock aerial vigil throughout the night.
In Sriganganagar, authorities enforced a complete blackout and urged citizens to remain indoors. Similar directives were issued in Bikaner and Jodhpur following alerts from the Army.
In response to Pakistan’s attempts to target military stations in 15 cities including Chandigarh, Bathinda, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Adampur, Nal, Phalodi and Bhuj, India launched kamikaze drones and destroyed a Pakistani air defence site in Lahore, defence officials confirmed.
Operation Sindoor, launched by Indian forces earlier this week, had already struck nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned of strong retaliation, stating, “If anyone tries to take advantage of our restraint, they will face quality action. We are fully prepared for such responsible responses in the future as well.”
Tensions between India and Pakistan have steadily escalated since the Pahalgam terror attack, where Pakistan-backed group TRF killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-based terror infrastructure for orchestrating the massacre.
In retaliation, India carried out a high-precision airstrike on terror bases in PoK and Pakistan’s Bahawalpur region, leading to a series of counterattacks by Pakistan.
With both nations engaging in targeted military responses, observers fear further escalation along the LoC and the international border. Security has been intensified across all vulnerable sectors, and high-level defence meetings are underway in New Delhi.
India continues to maintain that its actions are “measured and non-escalatory,” while reaffirming its commitment to national security.
