India thwarts massive cross-border assault as over 300 Pakistani drones target military and civilian infrastructure across western front
New Delhi [India], May 9: Amid heightened tensions with Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a crucial high-level security meeting at his residence on Friday. The meeting was convened following a coordinated series of drone and missile attacks by Pakistan targeting Indian cities, civilian infrastructure, and military installations.
Top national security and defence officials were in attendance, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Defence Secretary RK Singh.
Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh reviewed the prevailing security situation, a day after Pakistan attempted to escalate the conflict through airspace violations and drone intrusions, all of which were successfully neutralized by India’s advanced air defence systems, including the S-400.
Massive Drone Intrusion Repelled
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, during a joint press briefing, disclosed that 300 to 400 drones were launched by the Pakistani military across 36 strategic locations along India’s western front during the night of May 7 and 8. The drones, believed to be Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models, were intended to gather intelligence and test India’s defensive capabilities.
“The Pakistani Army violated Indian airspace multiple times and also used heavy-calibre weapons along the LoC,” said Colonel Qureshi. “Indian forces responded swiftly, intercepting the drones using kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures.”
Forensic analysis of the downed drones is underway, with early findings confirming foreign origin and tactical intent.
Pakistan’s Denial and India’s Firm Stand
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri strongly condemned Pakistan’s aggression, calling the attacks “provocative and escalatory,” while criticizing Islamabad for its “official and blatantly farcical denial.”
“Pakistan targeted Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to military sites,” said Misri. “Our armed forces responded proportionately and responsibly. Pakistan’s duplicity is evident in its denial, which reflects the new depths it is plumbing to mislead the international community.”
The situation remains tense following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, a retaliatory military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 28 civilians.