India Neutralises Pakistan Air Defence System in Major Retaliatory Strike

NEW DELHI:
In a significant military development, India on Thursday launched precision strikes targeting Pakistan’s Air Defence Radars and systems, with the system in Lahore confirmed to be neutralised, the government said in an official statement.

The move follows a coordinated drone and missile attack launched by Pakistan during the night of May 7-8, which attempted to target multiple Indian military installations across Northern and Western India — including key bases in Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bhuj.

India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid and Air Defence systems successfully intercepted the incoming drones and missiles. Authorities are now recovering debris from various locations as evidence of the attempted Pakistani strike.

India’s retaliatory response, described by the government as “in the same domain with the same intensity”, was aimed specifically at Pakistan’s air defence capabilities. A notable success included the neutralisation of the Air Defence system in Lahore.

The government justified the strike citing “unprovoked and heavy” cross-border shelling by Pakistan, which has resulted in 16 civilian deaths, including three women and five children, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara, Poonch, Uri, and Rajouri sectors. Pakistan reportedly used mortars and heavy artillery in its attacks.

“The Indian Armed Forces were compelled to respond in order to bring mortar and artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt,” the statement said, adding that the response was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”—consistent with India’s posture during Operation Sindoor, which was launched earlier this week.

India emphasized that its actions remain defensive in nature, and military establishments inside Pakistan were not initially targeted, signaling a desire to avoid broader conflict. However, the government warned that any further attacks on Indian military targets will trigger a “suitable response.”

The situation remains tense along the Line of Control, with the Indian Armed Forces reaffirming their commitment to non-escalation—as long as the Pakistani military reciprocates.