Operation Sindoor: India destroys Pakistan’s HQ-9 air defence systems in Lahore

The Indian Armed Forces mounted a calibrated and proportionate military response early Wednesday after Pakistan attempted a major drone and missile offensive against Indian military targets.

In a clear show of capability and restraint, India neutralised the attack and swiftly retaliated by striking Pakistani air defence assets, including one system near Lahore, stated a press release by the Press Information Bureau of India.

Pakistani Drone and Missile Offensive Thwarted

In the late hours of 7 May and early 8 May 2025, Pakistan launched a coordinated offensive targeting a swathe of Indian military infrastructure across Northern and Western India.

Locations targeted included Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.

According to defence sources, Pakistan deployed a combination of drones and missiles in an attempt to breach Indian airspace and inflict strategic damage.

However, the offensive was decisively foiled by India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Grid and existing Air Defence architecture. No damage was reported, and efforts are ongoing to recover debris from the thwarted attack. Initial findings from the wreckage confirm the origin and hostile intent of the Pakistani offensive.

Precision Retaliation by India

In the early hours following the attempted attack, India responded with measured and targeted strikes on Pakistani air defence assets. These operations, carried out with strategic precision, were aimed at neutralising radar and surveillance installations used in the offensive.

It is reliably learnt that an air defence system near Lahore has been destroyed. Sources within the Indian defence establishment stated that the retaliation remained confined to the same military domain and scale as Pakistan’s attempted aggression, reinforcing India's stance on proportionate deterrence.

Line of Control Sees Escalation

Beyond the aerial provocation, Pakistan also escalated unprovoked shelling across the Line of Control (LoC).

Mortar and heavy-calibre artillery fire targeted civilian and military positions in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.

This aggression resulted in the tragic loss of 16 innocent Indian lives, including three women and five children. The fatalities have triggered widespread condemnation, and India responded to the artillery fire with effective counteraction, compelling Pakistani batteries to fall silent.

India Condemns Unprovoked Hostilities

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has categorically condemned Pakistan’s escalation, labelling the attack as “unprovoked and indefensible.” In an official statement, the MoD said India had been "compelled to act" to safeguard its sovereignty and protect civilian lives.

The Indian response, as per senior military officials, was designed to deter further misadventure without initiating broader conflict. The government has reiterated its commitment to national security and made it clear that any future provocation will be met with a strong and calibrated military response.