Jaisalmer: In a bold display of vigilance, Indian forces intercepted and shot down a Pakistani drone attempting to breach Indian airspace near the Jaisalmer border early Thursday. The drone was neutralised using cutting-edge electronic jamming systems, halting its advance before it could reach any strategic target, defence sources confirmed.
This incident marks a sharp escalation in cross-border tensions, with four intrusion attempts reported across Rajasthan in just a few hours. These include incursions at Nal in Bikaner, Uttarlai in Barmer, Phalodi in Jodhpur, and the drone encounter near Jaisalmer—suggesting a coordinated pattern of provocation.
Coordinated Strikes and Swift Retaliation
The drone activity follows a major escalation overnight between May 7 and 8, when Pakistan launched a coordinated series of drone and missile attacks targeting military installations across northern and western India. High-value targets included Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and even Bhuj in Gujarat. Thanks to India’s robust Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and advanced air defence systems, all incoming threats were successfully intercepted, with debris collected from several sites as proof of Pakistan’s hostile intent.
India’s response was immediate and decisive. In a calculated counteroffensive, Indian forces targeted key elements of Pakistan’s air defence infrastructure. Notably, the Chinese-origin HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile system near Lahore was reportedly destroyed, along with a strategic radar facility—delivering a strong message of deterrence.
Cross-Border Shelling and Civilian Toll
Meanwhile, Pakistan has intensified artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), targeting civilian zones in Jammu and Kashmir. The districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri have witnessed sustained fire, tragically resulting in the deaths of 16 civilians, including women and children.
Background: Operation Sindoor
The current tensions can be traced back to India’s recent launch of Operation Sindoor, a high-precision 25-minute strike that dismantled nine terror hubs associated with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the targets was a key JeM stronghold in Bahawalpur, located over 100 km from the Indian border, showcasing the reach and precision of India’s counter-terror operations. The strike was a direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
Commitment to Peace, Readiness for Action
While India remains committed to peace along its borders, defence officials have made it clear: any breach will be met with unwavering resolve. With tensions flaring and the region on edge, the Indian Armed Forces stand ready—not just to defend, but to decisively deter any further misadventures.
