Indian Armed Forces deliver a powerful response to Pakistan’s escalation, citing precision strikes under Operation Sindoor as retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, May 9, 2025 – The Indian Army successfully thwarted multiple drone and missile attacks launched by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and the western border on the night of May 8-9, 2025, delivering a “befitting reply” to what it described as a significant escalation by Pakistani forces.
The Indian Army’s statement, released early Friday, detailed the neutralization of over 50 Pakistani drones and the interception of eight missiles targeting military installations across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, as part of the ongoing Operation Sindoor.
According to the Indian Army’s official statement posted on X, “Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along [the] entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.” The statement emphasized that the Indian Armed Forces neutralized the threats using “kinetic and non-kinetic means” as per standard operating procedures, reporting no losses or significant damage.
The attacks, which began around 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, targeted key military stations, including Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, and Jaisalmer, as well as civilian areas near the border. Residents in Jammu reported explosions and red flashes in the night sky, with air raid sirens prompting blackouts in Jammu, Samba, Akhnoor, and parts of Punjab and Rajasthan. In Jaisalmer, the Indian Air Force’s S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defense system intercepted all Pakistani drones before they could breach Indian airspace, with debris recovered from multiple impact sites.
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/WTdg1ahIZp
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 9, 2025
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The Indian Army attributed the Pakistani offensive to retaliation for India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, which targeted nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, aimed to eliminate leaders of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the Pahalgam attack, orchestrated by The Resistance Front—a known front for LeT—prompted the precision strikes, which also neutralized a Pakistani air defense system in Lahore.
In a press briefing, Indian Army spokesperson Sunil Bartwal confirmed that the military deployed advanced systems, including the Akash, MRSAM, and S-400, to counter the Pakistani drones, described as low-cost miniature swarm drones and loitering munitions. “The intensity of the attack resembled tactics used by militant groups like Hamas, but our forces were prepared and acted swiftly,” Bartwal said, referencing the 35-minute assault that included a drone strike on Jammu Civil Airport. No civilian casualties were reported, though Pakistan’s shelling along the LoC over the past 14 days has claimed 15 Indian civilian lives and one soldier.
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
Pakistan’s military, in contrast, claimed to have downed 29 Indian drones on Thursday, alleging that India’s strikes killed two civilians and injured four soldiers. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called India’s actions a “blatant act of war” and hinted at further retaliation, while denying any Pakistani drone attacks on Indian soil. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, a Pakistani military spokesperson, challenged India to provide evidence of the alleged attacks, stating, “Every projectile leaves a digital trace.”
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The Indian Ministry of Defense countered these claims, stating on X that debris from the Pakistani drones and missiles was being recovered, providing proof of the attacks. The ministry also noted that Indian forces targeted Pakistani air defense radars and systems in Lahore, Sialkot, and other locations on Friday morning, further weakening Pakistan’s military infrastructure.
The escalation has heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, prompting international calls for restraint. The European Union urged both sides to “engage in dialogue” to safeguard civilian lives, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the crisis with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma monitored the situation in Jaisalmer, where police patrolled amid public panic and sirens blared in Barmer. Over two dozen airports across India were placed on high alert, and the Indian Premier League match in Dharamshala was suspended.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, reviewing the situation with the Chief of Defense Staff, warned that “those trying to test India’s patience should be ready to face quality action.” An all-party meeting convened by the government on Thursday expressed unanimous support for Operation Sindoor and the armed forces’ decisive response.
As the situation remains volatile, the Indian Army and Border Security Force have cordoned off a 100-km zone along the border, with air defense forces on high alert. The nation stands united in praising the armed forces’ professionalism, with posts on X reflecting public pride: “Over 50 Pakistani drones neutralized! Jai Ho Indian Army!”
The Indian Armed Forces continue to maintain vigilance, ensuring the security of the nation’s borders amid one of the most significant military confrontations with Pakistan in decades.
