In a major escalation of cross-border hostilities, Indian armed forces on Thursday launched targeted strikes against Pakistan’s air defence infrastructure, delivering a significant blow to military installations across the border, including the destruction of an air defence system in Lahore, according to an official statement released by the Indian government.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions following Pakistan’s overnight attempt to target multiple military installations in Northern and Western India using drones and missiles. Among the cities reportedly targeted were Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and even deep western outposts such as Bhuj. India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the attempted incursions were successfully repelled by its Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Grid and advanced air defence systems.
BREAKING: India responds proportionately to Pakistan’s attempted escalation. After multiple drone and missile attacks on Indian military targets, India neutralizes Pakistani Air Defence systems. 16 civilian lives lost due to unprovoked firing. pic.twitter.com/qmM64A4zYL
— Khalsa Vox (@khalsavox) May 8, 2025
Key to India’s defensive response was the S-400 Triumf air defence system, sourced from Russia, which played a pivotal role in intercepting and neutralising incoming aerial threats, according to military sources.
In a swift and calibrated counter-offensive, Indian forces deployed Israeli-origin Harpy “kamikaze” drones to strike Pakistan’s radar installations and air defence units. The precision drone strikes reportedly caused substantial damage to Pakistan’s Chinese-made HQ-9 missile system, a centrepiece of its aerial defence capability.
This latest military exchange follows the Indian Army’s launch of Operation Sindoor a day earlier, a coordinated offensive targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian forces claimed to have neutralised over 100 militants across nine identified terror camps in what has been described as one of the largest such operations in recent years.
BREAKING:
— News & Statistics (@News_Statistic) May 8, 2025
Reuters reports says Pakistan’s Air defence (China HQ-9) at Lahor completely destroyed by Indian drone.
China won’t be happy with Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/IpAuRNvEKt
Explosions were reported earlier in the day in Lahore and Karachi, triggering panic in some civilian areas. Pakistan authorities claimed they had downed multiple Indian drones, though these claims have not been independently verified.
Amidst rising uncertainty, the United States has issued a security advisory for its diplomatic staff in Lahore. The US Consulate General directed personnel to shelter-in-place following reports of drone explosions and possible airspace violations near Lahore, including areas close to the city’s main airport. There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting localized evacuations by Pakistani authorities.
Meanwhile, India has accused Pakistan of escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), citing increased mortar and artillery fire in several sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, and Rajouri.
As regional and international stakeholders watch the unfolding situation with concern, both countries remain on high alert, with military posturing intensifying on either side of the border. The potential for further escalation looms large unless diplomatic backchannels succeed in de-escalating the fast-deteriorating security environment.