Late Thursday evening, emergency sirens echoed across Chandigarh following alerts of a potential incoming Pakistani missile attack. The alarm was triggered as part of India's precautionary civil defence protocol, immediately sending people into shelters and enforcing a city-wide blackout in sensitive sectors. Although no missile ultimately landed in the city, the alert underscored the seriousness of the escalating situation.
The latest provocation by Pakistan follows India's precision strikes on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) earlier this week. These retaliatory strikes, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, were aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure that India claims was responsible for killing 26 civilians in a suicide bombing in southern Kashmir.
In retaliation, Pakistan launched a barrage of missiles and drones toward Indian military and civilian installations across the border states. The Indian military, anticipating an aggressive response, was already on high alert and swiftly activated air defence systems. According to Indian defence officials, at least eight missiles were intercepted before they could reach populated areas. In addition, India’s fighter jets scrambled from northern airbases successfully shot down one Pakistani F-16 and possibly two JF-17 fighter jets, which were attempting to provide aerial cover to the missile launch teams near the border.
The airspace above cities including Samba, Pathankot, Udhampur, Akhnoor, and Jammu was closely monitored throughout the night with continuous radar scans and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveillance. The defence ministry confirmed that no Indian lives were lost and no significant infrastructure was damaged, a testament to the effectiveness of India's layered air defence systems.
In cities like Srinagar, Jammu, and Amritsar, civilian authorities enforced blackout protocols from dusk to dawn. In Rajasthan, alerts were sounded in Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur, with both military and civil authorities working together to keep residents informed and safe. Hospitals and critical care centres were placed on emergency standby, and schools in border districts have been shut until further notice.
The Ministry of Defence released a statement confirming that Operation Sindoor is ongoing and includes a full-spectrum response involving air, ground, and naval forces. While air defence units have been on standby since early Thursday, the Indian Navy has also initiated pre-emptive strategic maneuvers in the Arabian Sea, increasing its surveillance of Pakistani naval activities.
Operation Sindoor was launched following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which is believed to have been carried out by a Pakistan-backed terror outfit operating out of PoK. India’s retaliatory mission earlier this week targeted nine locations using 24 guided missiles, neutralising over 70 terrorists and severely damaging their launchpads and safehouses.
This aggressive response triggered Pakistan’s military to escalate further, leading to the overnight missile and drone assault. Indian sources report that Pakistani forces targeted strategic locations near the International Border and LoC, possibly intending to strike key military communication hubs and airbases. However, Indian defence systems successfully blocked every incoming threat.
Indian officials stated that swarm drones, believed to be deployed to confuse radar systems and target fuel and ammo depots, were shot down using a combination of anti-aircraft guns and electronic countermeasure systems. The Indian Army has shared visuals of drones exploding mid-air as proof of successful interceptions. As of Friday morning, defence forces remain on maximum alert. Surveillance flights continue across the northwestern region, and senior military leaders are engaged in strategy reviews in Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, after meeting with top military commanders, reassured the nation that India will respond with strength and clarity to every threat.
Meanwhile, residents in Chandigarh, still recovering from the alarm triggered by the missile alert, have resumed daily activities under watchful eyes. Local administrations have confirmed no casualties or property damage, but security checks have been tightened across the city.
India’s diplomatic channels are actively monitoring international responses, although top officials have made it clear that India will not rely on external mediation and will act in national interest as necessary. Foreign ministries across the world, including the U.S., U.K., and France, have called for calm, but India has maintained its stance of legitimate self-defence and targeted retaliation.
The coming hours are expected to be critical as India continues to assess Pakistan’s next move. Military analysts believe that while full-scale war is not imminent, the risk of further escalations is high given the current pattern of strikes and counter-strikes. Operation Sindoor, which began as a surgical counter-terror mission, has now expanded into a multi-front response strategy involving all branches of the Indian armed forces. While India remains committed to peace and diplomatic solutions, recent events have sent a clear message provocations will not go unanswered.
