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In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, India has launched targeted counter-strikes across multiple Pakistani military locations under Operation Sindoor, following a series of missile and drone attacks on Indian military bases and civilian areas. The Indian Air Force (IAF), using advanced Israeli kamikaze drones and precision-guided munitions, struck back at key air defence systems and terror hubs deep within Pakistani territory.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Measured Yet Powerful Response
Senior military officials confirmed that Operation Sindoor was initiated shortly after Pakistan fired a salvo of missiles and armed drones at 15 Indian military installations in northern and western India, including Jaisalmer, Amritsar, Jammu, Udhampur, and Pathankot.
The IAF retaliated swiftly, deploying Harop and Harpy drones, which function as loitering munitions—seeking out and destroying enemy radar and missile systems. By Thursday night, reports indicated extensive damage to Pakistani assets, including the destruction of a Chinese-origin HQ-9 surface-to-air missile battery in Lahore.
“Our response is deliberate and within the same military domain. There is no face-saving for Pakistan’s military leadership after such aggression,” a senior officer told TOI, emphasizing the strategic objective behind Operation Sindoor.
Indian Defenses Thwart Cross-Border Threats
India’s robust, multi-layered air defence systems, including the Russian-made S-400 Triumf, successfully intercepted many of the incoming threats. Authorities confirmed that both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures, including electronic jamming, were used to neutralize enemy drones and missiles.
“There were no losses on the Indian side,” an official said, confirming that civilian panic, particularly near Jammu airport, was mitigated by prompt military response and coordination.
Warplanes and Warships Move Into Position
As the conflict intensified, reports emerged of forward deployment of Indian Navy warships in the northern Arabian Sea, indicating a broadening theatre of military readiness. In a highly volatile move, unconfirmed intelligence suggested that two Pakistani JF-17s and one F-16 fighter jet might have been shot down during engagements near the Line of Control (LoC) and deeper airspace intrusions.
Targets in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Attock, and Karachi’s periphery were hit in the retaliatory campaign, suggesting India’s firm commitment to dismantling Pakistan’s offensive capabilities.
Government Calls For Restraint Amid Strong Retaliation
Despite the intensifying conflict, Indian leadership maintained a composed diplomatic front. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh affirmed India’s preference for peaceful resolutions but warned that the country would not hesitate to respond proportionately to threats.
“We have exercised restraint. But those misinterpreting it as weakness will receive a fitting response, just as they did yesterday,” Singh stated.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that the recent terrorist massacre in Pahalgam was the “true escalation,” stressing that India’s actions remain measured and non-escalatory.
Pakistani Shelling Kills Civilians in J&K, India Responds in Kind
Pakistan's artillery shelling along the 778-km LoC, targeting Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Uri, and Mendhar, killed 16 civilians, including five children. Indian forces responded with calibrated counter-fire, aiming to suppress enemy positions without further inflaming tensions.
Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh clarified during a press briefing that Wednesday’s airstrikes were strictly aimed at non-military terror infrastructure, disproving Pakistani claims of military base attacks.
Outlook: Escalation Risks and Strategic Calculations
While India maintains its non-escalatory posture, military analysts suggest that continued provocations by Pakistan may push South Asia toward a deeper military standoff. Operation Sindoor’s objective appears to be both punitive and deterrent—demonstrating India’s technological edge and willingness to strike preemptively.
The next 48 hours will be crucial, as both sides reassess strategic costs and diplomatic fallouts. International calls for restraint are rising, but India’s domestic mood is firmly behind a robust response to cross-border terrorism and unprovoked aggression.