In a powerful counteroffensive, the Indian Army destroyed Pakistani posts and terrorist launchpads responsible for recent failed drone attacks on Indian territory during the intervening night of May 9 and 10. These launchpads, reportedly equipped with tube-launched drones, were being used to target Indian cities, as per multiple media sources.
Dramatic visuals of the Indian Army’s precise strikes surfaced online, showing plumes of smoke rising from the drone launchpads after being targeted. The footage confirmed the elimination of operational drone hubs close to the Line of Control.
This military action comes amid intensifying conflict between the two neighbours. In the early hours of Saturday, India launched fresh retaliatory airstrikes on at least four key Pakistani airbases, including the strategic Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi. These strikes were in direct response to Pakistan's attacks at 26 different locations across India.
According to ANI, intermittent firing is still ongoing at multiple points along the LoC. The border state of Punjab has witnessed the brunt of drone threats. In one instance, a drone-related explosion damaged a house in Kanganiwal village in Jalandhar’s rural sector.
A Defence Ministry statement, quoted by ANI, warned of the seriousness of the drone threat:
“Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala,” the ministry stated.
The situation is especially tense in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
“Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family,” the Defence Ministry added.
Explosions and damage were also reported in Udhampur’s Dibber area and the Rajouri region, where several homes and properties sustained damage from repeated blasts. Loud explosions were also heard in Akhnoor and adjoining areas, heightening fear among residents.
Cautioning the public, authorities urged citizens—especially those in border districts—to stay indoors and adhere to safety instructions issued by local administrations.
Notably, this escalation follows India's May 7-8 operations, during which Indian forces thwarted a large-scale drone and missile strike planned by Pakistan targeting multiple military bases in northern and western India. The Indian counteroffensive reportedly disabled a Pakistani air defence system near Lahore, demonstrating a swift and targeted response.
These actions were part of a broader campaign following India’s May 7 precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), carried out in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which India says had cross-border terror links.
