New Delhi — In a forceful response to Pakistan’s cross-border aggression, India launched missile strikes on key Pakistani cities, Lahore and Sialkot, on Thursday. The Indian retaliation also included drone attacks, marking a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations.
According to an official statement from the Indian Army, Pakistan had earlier carried out drone attacks along the western border at multiple locations. The statement confirmed that Indian forces were actively intercepting and neutralising incoming missiles and shot down two Pakistani fighter jets.
In addition to the strikes on Lahore, Indian forces also destroyed Pakistan’s air defence system in Faisalabad, further weakening the adversary’s military infrastructure.
Earlier in the evening, Pakistan fired eight missiles targeting Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia. All missiles were intercepted and neutralised by India’s air defence units.
Explosions were reported in Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir) as Indian air defences engaged and intercepted Pakistani drones. Similar drone interceptions occurred in Jaisalmer, with residents witnessing loud blasts and flashes in the sky.
In anticipation of further strikes, blackouts were enforced across multiple Indian regions, including Bikaner (Rajasthan), Jalandhar (Punjab), Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Samba, Jammu, and Amritsar.
The escalation peaked when Pakistan deployed loitering munitions to target Jammu, prompting Indian Air Defence units to return fire.