In an unprecedented escalation, Pakistan launched a coordinated drone and missile assault on Indian territories on 8 May 2025. The offensive targeted 24 cities across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat between 8:00 PM and 11:30 PM. India’s advanced air defence systems successfully intercepted the threats, averting significant damage.
This attack followed India’s “Operation Sindoor” on 7 May, a retaliatory strike against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was in response to the 22 April Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 Indian lives.
India’s defence forces, employing systems like the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra, L-70, ZU-23, and Schilka, neutralised approximately 500 drones and eight missiles. Targets included military installations in Jammu, Udhampur, Pathankot, and civilian areas like Amritsar and Bhuj. Notably, a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet was downed over Jaisalmer.
The Indian Air Force responded with precision strikes on Pakistani air defence systems in Lahore, Sialkot, and Karachi, utilising HAROP kamikaze drones. These actions disrupted Pakistan’s radar capabilities, marking a significant shift in regional military dynamics.
The conflict has led to blackouts in several Indian cities, the closure of 24 airports, and the suspension of events like the IPL match in Dharamshala. International concerns are mounting over the potential for further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
