Watch the Videos: India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate: Indian Drone Attacks Devastate Pakistani Air Defence Systems, PM Modi Stresses Robust Civil Defence

New Delhi, May 8, 2025 – In a dramatic escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, Indian Armed Forces launched a series of drone attacks today, targeting and reportedly causing significant destruction to Pakistan’s air defence systems across multiple locations, including Lahore. The strikes, part of the ongoing Operation Sindoor, were a response to Pakistan’s alleged retaliation following India’s precision strikes on terror camps on May 7, 2025, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. During the Press Briefing on Operation SINDOOR on 07 May 2025, India had called its response as focused, measured and non-escalatory. It was specifically mentioned that Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted. It was also reiterated that any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response.On the night of 07-08 May 2025, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems. The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks.Today morning Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised. Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using Mortars and heavy calibre Artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. Sixteen innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing. Here too, India was compelled to respond to bring Mortar and Artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt.Indian Amed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military.

Drone Attacks and Destruction of Pakistani Air Defence Systems

According to sources cited by Indian media, the Indian Armed Forces targeted Pakistani air defence radars and systems in at least seven districts, including Lahore, Bahawalpur, and Karachi. A notable strike involved a Harop kamikaze drone, an Israeli-made loitering munition, which reportedly hit a Pakistani radar position at a military airport in Lahore, causing significant damage. Posts on X from Indian defence accounts claimed that the strikes “neutralized” critical air defence infrastructure, including Pakistan’s “Lumber 1” defence system, though these claims remain unverified by independent sources.

Pakistan’s military, through its Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), alleged that 12 Indian drones were “neutralized” across multiple locations, but acknowledged one civilian death and injuries to four Pakistani soldiers. Pakistani media reported a downed drone near Walton Airport in Lahore, which caused partial damage to military equipment. However, Pakistan’s claim of minimal damage contrasts with Indian assertions of “total destruction” of key air defence assets, creating a fog of conflicting narratives.

Defence analysts suggest that the use of loitering munitions like the Harop and indigenously developed Nagastra-1 allowed India to execute precise, low-collateral strikes, exploiting gaps in Pakistan’s air defence network. The strikes are seen as a direct response to Pakistan’s alleged downing of Indian jets and a drone during the May 7 Operation Sindoor strikes, though India has not confirmed these losses. The targeting of air defence systems indicates India’s intent to degrade Pakistan’s ability to counter further aerial operations, raising fears of a broader conflict.

PM Modi’s High-Level Meeting and Civil Defence Focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an all-party meeting in New Delhi today at 11:00 AM to brief political leaders on Operation Sindoor and the latest drone strikes. Sources reported that Modi urged opposition parties to stand united, highlighting the “valour of the armed forces” in striking terror camps and now countering Pakistani escalation. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, speaking after the meeting, described India’s actions as “calculated,” targeting only terrorist sites and state-sponsored terrorism infrastructure, while Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde congratulated the government and armed forces for their execution of Operation Sindoor.

In a separate high-level security meeting with senior ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Modi emphasized the importance of a robust civil defence system. He directed states to conduct nationwide civil defence drills, building on the exercises initiated on May 7, 2025—the first since the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. Modi’s focus on civil defence comes amid heightened security concerns, with 21 airports in northern and northwestern India closed until May 10, 2025, and schools shuttered in border regions like Punjab and Jodhpur. A citywide blackout drill in Amritsar on May 7 tested emergency preparedness, with residents advised to stay indoors.

“All air defence units along the India-Pakistan border have been activated to tackle any eventuality,” a defence official stated, highlighting India’s preparedness for potential Pakistani retaliation. Modi’s push for civil defence drills, involving over 10,000 volunteers in states like Maharashtra, aims to ensure civilian safety and resilience in the face of cross-border shelling and possible escalation.

Context and Regional Impact

The drone attacks follow India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, which targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and PoK, including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke. India claimed over 100 terrorists were killed, while Pakistan reported 31 deaths, including civilians, and accused India of targeting mosques and residential areas. The operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, which India linked to Pakistan-backed terror groups.

Today’s strikes on Pakistan’s air defence systems mark a significant escalation, as they directly challenge Pakistan’s military capabilities. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of a “clear and present” nuclear threat, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif authorized “corresponding actions” in retaliation. Cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) intensified, with India reporting 15 civilian deaths and Pakistan claiming civilian losses in Poonch, Kupwara, and Baramulla.

International Reactions and Concerns

The international community has urged restraint, with U.S. President Donald Trump offering mediation and the UN Security Council holding closed-door consultations. Russia, China, and the EU called for de-escalation, while Singapore issued a travel advisory for the region. Pakistan’s closure of airspace over Lahore and Islamabad has disrupted commercial flights, prompting concerns from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Critical Analysis

While India’s drone strikes demonstrate advanced military capabilities and a bold response to perceived Pakistani aggression, claims of “total destruction” of Pakistan’s air defence systems remain unverified and may be exaggerated for domestic morale. Pakistan’s damage of its key radars could limit its response capacity. The nuclear rhetoric from Pakistan, while alarming, appears to be posturing to deter further Indian action, as both sides have avoided direct military targets to prevent all-out war.

Modi’s emphasis on civil defence is a prudent move, given the risk of escalation and the vulnerability of border communities to shelling. However, the closure of airports, schools, and heightened security measures could strain India’s economy and public morale if tensions persist. The lack of independent verification for casualty figures, downed aircraft, and infrastructure damage underscores the need for caution in assessing both nations’ claims.

Conclusion

The Indian drone attacks on May 8, 2025, targeting Pakistani air defence systems, have intensified the India-Pakistan conflict, with Operation Sindoor evolving into a broader confrontation. Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, marked by today’s meetings and his push for a strong civil defence system, reflects India’s resolve to counter terrorism and prepare for potential escalation. As both nations exchange fire and rhetoric, the international community watches closely, hoping to avert a catastrophic conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors.