India Strikes Back: Lahore Air Defence System Neutralised in Retaliatory Operation
New Delhi, May 8, 2025 — In a dramatic escalation of tensions, India confirmed this morning that its Armed Forces have launched a targeted operation against Pakistan’s air defence systems. The Indian Ministry of Defence revealed that air defence radars and systems at several locations in Pakistan were neutralised, including a confirmed strike on a key air defence installation in Lahore.
The announcement came in the wake of Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks on military targets across Northern and Western India during the night of May 7–8. Locations targeted included Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.
India successfully intercepted and neutralised these threats using its Integrated Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Grid and air defence platforms. Debris collected from various sites across the region confirms the attempted offensive by Pakistan.
The retaliatory Indian action forms part of Operation SINDOOR, a mission described by the Indian government as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.” Officials reiterated that Indian military responses have strictly targeted air defence systems, avoiding civilian or unrelated military infrastructure.
A key highlight of the operation is the neutralisation of an HQ-9 Air defence system in Lahore, which India says has been “reliably learnt.”
In addition to aerial threats, Pakistan has intensified mortar and heavy artillery firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. Tragically, sixteen Indian civilians, including three women and five children, lost their lives in the unprovoked firing.
India responded to the cross-border shelling with proportionate mortar and artillery fire to silence the Pakistani guns and prevent further civilian casualties.
The Indian Armed Forces reiterated their commitment to non-escalation, emphasizing that any future aggression would be met with an “appropriate and proportionate” response.
