In a significant escalation of hostilities, the Indian Army repelled a large-scale drone and ceasefire violation offensive launched by Pakistan during the intervening night of May 8 and 9, according to an official statement by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI).
The attacks, part of a continued response to India’s Operation Sindoor, were effectively neutralised along the Western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions… Pak troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed, and a befitting reply was given,” the Indian Army said on X (formerly Twitter).
The Army asserted that the retaliation was part of Operation Sindoor, during which nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were already destroyed by the Indian Armed Forces earlier this week.
Over 50 Drones Shot Down
Sources confirmed that the Indian Army shot down more than 50 Pakistani drones, which were part of a swarm drone operation aimed at both military and civilian areas. The Indian Air Defence units acted swiftly to intercept and destroy drones across Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot.
“No civilian casualties have been reported so far,” officials told media.
The Army deployed an array of air defence systems, including:
- L-70 anti-aircraft guns
- ZU-23 mm twin-barrel autocannons
- Schilka self-propelled systems
- And cutting-edge Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
These weapons form part of India’s layered air defence grid, already bolstered by the deployment of S-400 Sudarshan Chakra and loitering munitions like Harpy drones.
Escalation, But Controlled Response
The ceasefire violations (CFVs) were widespread along the LoC, with Pakistan targeting forward Indian positions and nearby habitations. However, Indian forces mounted a controlled and precision-based response, in keeping with the government’s policy of measured retaliation.
“Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded to with force,” the Army added in its post.
This follows a week of high-intensity military engagement after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed multiple civilians and was claimed by the TRF (The Resistance Front). India’s diplomatic and military response has since evolved into a multi-domain campaign, including air strikes, anti-drone operations, and artillery duels.
The situation remains tense but under control, as the Indian military maintains a high operational tempo while avoiding escalation beyond the LoC.