The coordinated Pakistani aerial attacks, which took place in two waves starting late May 7, came in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, which had struck nine terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. However, Pakistan’s attempt to respond with force failed spectacularly as India’s advanced air defence systems thwarted all incoming threats.
According to military sources, the first wave of attacks from Pakistan began shortly after midnight on May 7, and carried into May 8. This wave involved missiles and drones aimed at at least 15 Indian military facilities, strategically located near the border. The second wave was launched just hours later in an attempt to overwhelm India's layered air defence grid. However, India’s well-integrated response system, including indigenous Akash missiles, Israeli HARPY drones, and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), repelled both waves without allowing a single missile to hit its intended target.
The Akash missile system, often compared to Israel’s Iron Dome, proved instrumental in intercepting high-speed aerial threats. Meanwhile, HARPY drones launched counterattacks that reportedly disabled Pakistan’s air defence systems, including the China-supplied HQ-9 air defence unit in Lahore. The Indian Air Force and defence intelligence also coordinated precision jamming systems, early warning radars, and anti-drone networks that made it virtually impossible for Pakistani aerial assets to penetrate Indian airspace.
The S-400 Triumf missile defence system, considered one of the best in the world, also played a pivotal role. India currently has three operational S-400 squadrons, deployed along the Pakistan and China borders, with two more expected by 2026. These systems, acquired from Russia in 2018 at a cost of ₹35,000 crore, are equipped to detect and destroy threats up to 400 km away. Not only did India defend against incoming attacks, but it also launched countermeasures, reinforcing the notion that India’s air defence strategy is no longer reactive but assertive and preemptive.
India’s military prowess was not just demonstrated in defence but also in precision-guided offensive operations. Operation Sindoor involved the use of 24 advanced projectiles in just 25 minutes, targeting and obliterating nine terror camps within Pakistan and PoK. Among the weapons used were the SCALP long-range missile and the HAMMER smart bomb, both capable of penetrating fortified bunkers and high-value terror infrastructure. In addition, loitering munitions were deployed—these are self-guided explosive devices that hover in the air, verify targets, and strike with surgical precision.
The efficiency of these weapons showcases India’s adoption of next-generation combat technology, making use of artificial intelligence and target recognition systems. These tools allowed for accurate delivery while minimizing collateral damage. The destroyed targets included training camps, command centres, and weapon stockpiles, significantly degrading the operational capacity of terrorist networks allegedly supported by Pakistan's deep state.
In a symbolic victory, Indian systems also took down an HQ-9 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system in Lahore, further exposing vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s defence grid. Defence analysts believe India’s strategic timing, coupled with seamless coordination between air, land, and cyber units, points to a new level of readiness in Indian defence architecture.
The government emphasized that India's skies are not only protected they are now controlled. This marks a strategic shift in doctrine, where deterrence is no longer solely about strength but about complete situational dominance. India's ability to shoot down drones, intercept long-range missiles, disable enemy defence infrastructure, and launch precision counterattacks demonstrates a multi-layered security protocol that is among the most robust in South Asia.
Military experts suggest this is India's most successful operational display of integrated air defence and offensive strike capability in recent memory. From radar surveillance and anti-drone tech to battlefield coordination and cross-border missile launches, India has successfully shown that it can respond decisively to any threat in real time. As regional tensions remain high, this show of strength sends a decisive signal to both state and non-state actors: India’s airspace is impenetrable, its responses are swift, and its control over the skies is complete.
