Rajnath Singh Reviews Security at South Block Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday held a high-level review meeting at South Block following Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks along India’s western front.
In a critical development amidst escalating military tensions with Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a review meeting at South Block in New Delhi on Friday. The meeting focused on assessing India’s preparedness and response following a large-scale drone and missile offensive launched by Pakistan on the night of May 8.
Singh was joined by top defence leadership, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and Defence Secretary RK Singh.
Defence officials confirmed that the Indian armed forces employed the indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile system to successfully neutralise incoming threats. The Akash system, deployed by both the Indian Army and Air Force, intercepted multiple drones and missiles along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).
“The Made in India Akash system played a decisive role in foiling Pakistani attacks targeting Indian assets,” a defence official said.
The Indian Army reported that Pakistani forces launched coordinated drone and artillery attacks along the western border and the LoC on the intervening night of May 8 and 9.
“Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions. Numerous ceasefire violations were also reported. A befitting reply was given. The Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation,” the Army said in a statement.
Sources told ANI that Indian troops successfully shot down over 50 Pakistani drones during the large-scale counter-drone operation.
The review follows India’s Operation Sindoor, in which Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These precision strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.
Pakistan’s retaliation included attempted strikes on military installations in over 15 Indian cities, including Jammu, Srinagar, Chandigarh, and Bhuj. Indian air defence systems intercepted most incoming threats, with minimal reported damage.
With tensions still simmering, the Ministry of Defence remains on high alert. Officials stated that further decisions will be guided by real-time intelligence and operational assessments.
India’s defence forces have reiterated their readiness to respond to any future provocations with full force.
