Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened an emergency meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force early Friday morning in Delhi. The high-level discussions focused on assessing the security situation and formulating strategic responses under the ongoing Operation Sindoor.
India successfully intercepted a coordinated aerial assault by Pakistan targeting military installations and urban centres across multiple states late Thursday night, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The Indian Armed Forces reported neutralising a wave of drones and missiles aimed at strategic locations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, Amritsar, and cities in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab. The attacks commenced around 8:30 pm, triggering air raid sirens and blackouts in several regions, including Chandigarh and parts of Jammu. The Indian Air Force’s S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ missile defence system was deployed to intercept the incoming threats, marking its first combat use.
Operation Sindoor, initiated earlier this week, involves targeted strikes by India on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Indian authorities have stated that the operation aims to dismantle terrorist networks without escalating into full-scale conflict.
The Pakistani military’s attempted retaliation included drone and missile strikes on Indian military bases and urban centres. However, Indian defence systems successfully intercepted these attacks, preventing significant damage. The Indian Armed Forces also conducted Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses operations, reportedly neutralising Pakistan’s air defence systems in Lahore.
Hostilities Flare Along LoC Amid Escalating Cross-Border Strikes 