NEW DELHI — Amid soaring tensions with Pakistan, the Indian Army on Thursday released the first-ever visual confirmation of a Pakistani military post being destroyed in targeted strikes along the Line of Control (LoC). The release came as part of India’s strong counter-offensive following a series of provocations from across the border, deepening fears of a broader military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
In a statement, the Army said it delivered a “befitting reply” to multiple ceasefire violations and overnight attacks by Pakistani forces, including attempts to infiltrate Indian territory using drones and missiles. According to the Indian Army, over 50 swarm drones launched by Pakistan were neutralised during a coordinated counter-drone operation carried out by air defence units across key strategic locations including Udhampur, Samba, Akhnoor, Nagrota, Jammu (J&K) and Pathankot (Punjab).
Taking to X, the Army reaffirmed its commitment to national security, stating, “The Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force.”
On the night of May 8, multiple regions including Akhnoor, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Samba were rocked by sirens and explosions as the Indian armed forces launched an intensified aerial vigil along the western border. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that Pakistani forces had attempted to strike military installations in 15 cities spanning Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat using drones and missiles.
Cities including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai and Bhuj were all targeted, the ministry said. In response, India retaliated with kamikaze drones, destroying a Pakistani air defence system in Lahore, further escalating the already tense standoff.
The current round of conflict follows India’s May 7 launch of precision missile strikes under “Operation Sindoor,” targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was carried out in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 civilians lost their lives.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a strong message to the nation and the international community, affirmed India’s readiness to protect its sovereignty at any cost. “India has always acted with restraint and responsibility, but any miscalculation will be met with quality action,” he said, reiterating that no limitation would deter India from defending itself with strength and resolve.
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