India has successfully neutralised a major escalation attempt by Pakistan, which launched missile and drone attacks targeting military installations across 15 cities, including areas in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Gujarat. The attempted strikes occurred late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, but were intercepted by Indian air defence systems, preventing damage and casualties at the targeted locations such as Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh.

In a swift and proportionate response, Indian forces struck key Pakistani air defence systems and radar installations, including those in Lahore. The Indian government described its counter-operation as “in the same domain and with the same intensity” as Pakistan’s attempted attacks. The escalation follows “Operation Sindoor,” India’s recent precision strike on four terror camps inside Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Launched at 1:05 AM on Wednesday and lasting 25 minutes, the mission used 24 munitions including HAMMER smart bombs and SCALP missiles—to demolish terrorist headquarters and training centres. 

The Defence Ministry reported over 100 terrorists killed, many affiliated with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. These strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, J&K, where four terrorists from The Resistance Front a Lashkar proxy killed 26 people, including civilians at the tourist destination Baisaran Valley.

India’s military clarified that Operation Sindoor deliberately avoided targeting Pakistani military bases, focusing instead on terror infrastructure. Notably, Muridke in Pakistan's Punjab province, believed to house Lashkar’s headquarters, was among the targeted locations. Amid mounting tensions, Pakistan has intensified cross-border firing, with mortars and artillery shells landing in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri. So far, 16 civilians including five children have died, along with one Indian soldier. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, at an all-party briefing, warned that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing and contingent on further Pakistani provocations. He reaffirmed India's stance on non-escalation, provided Pakistan exercises similar restraint.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.