How India Thwarted Pakistan's Aerial Assault: A Night of Sirens and Retaliation
India's Air Defence Foils Pakistani Attack
New Delhi: On Thursday night, India's air defence systems successfully intercepted aerial assaults from Pakistan aimed at Jammu and various military installations along the western border.
The attack, which involved drones and missiles, resulted in widespread blackouts and sirens sounding in regions across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and remain alert as emergency measures were put into effect.
In response to the aggression, India reportedly launched retaliatory actions.
The Integrated Defence Staff confirmed that military stations, including those in Jammu and Udhampur, sustained no damage.
According to a post on X, the IDS stated, "Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu & Kashmir targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by #IndianArmedForces as per SoP with kinetic & non-kinetic means."
Sources indicated that Indian air defences successfully neutralised multiple drones near Jammu airport, with no reported casualties.
Additionally, eight missiles were intercepted in the vicinity of Jammu, all of which were destroyed, as per media reports. The attack also caused a temporary power outage at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, with similar outages noted in Srinagar amid heightened security.
In a significant development, an F-16 fighter jet from the Pakistan Air Force was downed by an Indian surface-to-air missile system, as reported by a media channel.
The F-16, which had taken off from Sargodha air base, was shot down in close proximity to the base, according to sources.
This latest offensive from Pakistan followed a previous attempt to target 15 Indian cities, which was successfully thwarted.
Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that cities including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, and others were on the target list. However, India's integrated counter-UAS grid and robust air defence systems effectively neutralised all threats. Debris recovered from various locations confirmed that the drones and missiles originated from Pakistani territory.
In a rapid retaliatory action, Indian forces targeted and destroyed several Pakistani air defence systems, including a significant installation in Lahore. Concurrently, Pakistan's military initiated unprovoked shelling in the Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu & Kashmir, employing heavy artillery and mortars. This aggression resulted in the tragic deaths of 16 civilians, including five children and three women. The Indian Army responded decisively and proportionately.
Previously, India had conducted precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly eliminating around 100 militants.