New Delhi [India]: India’s indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile system played a vital role in repelling Pakistani drone attacks targeting Indian military assets on Thursday, according to defence officials.
During the night of May 8 to May 9, the Indian Army successfully intercepted and responded to multiple drone incursions from Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Defence sources confirmed that both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have positioned the Akash missile system across the Pakistan border to bolster air defence capabilities.
“The Made in India Akash surface-to-air missile air defence system has been effectively used by the Indian armed forces in foiling Pakistani attacks towards Indian targets. Both the Indian Army and Air Force have the missile system all along the Pakistan border,” defence officials stated.
The Akash missile system, a medium-range surface-to-air weapon, is designed to provide area defence against a range of aerial threats. It protects mobile, semi-mobile, and static units through advanced cross-country mobility and real-time multi-sensor threat tracking.
Its ability to process data from multiple sources allows it to engage multiple targets simultaneously, regardless of direction. The system is scalable, can operate autonomously or in groups, and uses command guidance with a phased-array radar to guide its missiles accurately.
Reaffirming its operational readiness, the Indian Army said:
“Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs. Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force.”
Sources added that more than 50 Pakistani drones were brought down during a major anti-drone operation carried out along the LoC and International Border (IB) on Thursday.
Additionally, Indian Armed Forces neutralized Pakistan’s attempt to launch a large-scale drone and missile attack targeting several Indian military bases across Northern and Western India during the night of May 7-8. An air defence system in Lahore was also neutralised during the operation.