Chandigarh (Punjab), May 9: Reacting to Pakistan’s failed drone and missile assault, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema praised the Indian Army for its strong and timely response. “I salute the army for their fitting reply. Pakistan must now realize the consequences of such actions,” he stated. Cheema also emphasized the readiness of civil, police, and intelligence agencies, noting that government staff leaves had been cancelled, health services bolstered, and schools temporarily closed to ensure safety.

According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), Indian forces successfully neutralized Pakistan’s large-scale drone and missile attack targeting military sites in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur using both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures. The response followed standard operating procedures, and no damage was reported.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed India’s counter-action, revealing that air defence radars in Pakistan, including one in Lahore, were taken out. She detailed that Pakistan attempted strikes across numerous locations on the night of May 7–8, including Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Bhuj, but India’s air defence systems intercepted all threats. Debris from the neutralized drones and missiles is being recovered.

The escalation came after India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. The Ministry of Defence stated that India’s strikes were precise, restrained, and avoided Pakistani military facilities. In response to the situation, the Union Government convened an all-party meeting to brief leaders. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the session, attended by top ministers and opposition leaders, underscoring India’s united stance on national security.