New Delhi, May 8, 2025 — In a bold and decisive military response, India has successfully neutralised a barrage of missile threats launched by Pakistan targeting 15 major Indian cities, and in a coordinated retaliatory operation, destroyed key Pakistani air defence systems. This unprecedented development has significantly heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, drawing global attention and calls for restraint.
According to official statements from the Indian Ministry of Defence, the missile threats were detected by India’s integrated air surveillance and missile tracking systems in the early hours of Tuesday. The missiles, reportedly a mix of short and medium-range projectiles, were tracked in real-time and intercepted by India’s multi-tiered missile defence shield, including the advanced S-400 and indigenous Akash missile systems.
15 Cities Targeted
The Indian Air Force confirmed that the targeted cities included New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Lucknow, Patna, Srinagar, Jammu, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Bhopal. Thanks to swift action by the Indian military, all incoming missiles were either intercepted mid-air or neutralised before impact, averting potential devastation and civilian casualties.
“No missile reached its intended target. Our systems were fully operational and performed exactly as designed,” said Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Chaudhary in a press briefing. “This was not just a technical success but a strategic message — India will defend its sovereignty with precision and resolve.”
Retaliatory Strike: Pakistan’s Air Defence Crippled
Hours after the missile threat was neutralised, India launched a precision retaliatory operation, code-named ‘Operation Vajra Shakti’, targeting Pakistan’s key air defence installations and launch sites believed to be behind the attempted strike. High-resolution satellite imagery and drone reconnaissance guided the Indian response.
Among the primary targets were Pakistani missile launch pads near Bahawalpur, radar stations in Sargodha, and air defence installations near Lahore and Peshawar. Indian officials claim the strikes resulted in the complete disabling of Pakistan’s forward-deployed air defence grid and the destruction of several surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries.
The strikes reportedly employed a combination of air-launched BrahMos cruise missiles, Heron TP drones, and low-observable fighter jets including the Rafale and the domestically produced LCA Tejas.
Escalating Tensions After Kashmir Attack
This exchange follows days of rising tensions after a deadly terror attack in Kashmir that killed 14 Indian pilgrims, including 4 children. Indian intelligence agencies traced the origins of the plot to a Pakistan-based group. Diplomatic channels had been activated, but according to Indian officials, Pakistan’s missile deployment indicated premeditation and forced a defensive and offensive response.
“This was not an isolated incident but a coordinated escalation,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. “Our response was proportional, focused, and in full compliance with our right to self-defence under international law.”
Pakistan Denies Missile Attack, Reports Civilian Casualties
In response, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement denying the missile launches, instead accusing India of aggression and violations of Pakistani airspace. Pakistan claimed that Indian missiles struck near civilian areas, resulting in at least 12 civilian deaths and multiple injuries in the Punjab province.
Indian officials, however, vehemently deny these allegations. “Our strikes were carefully calculated to avoid civilian zones. All targets were purely military in nature,” said a senior officer from India’s Directorate of Military Intelligence.
Satellite data from independent watchdogs appears to support India’s claim, showing clear hits on military installations with minimal collateral damage.
International Reaction
The global community has reacted with alarm to the developments. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged “maximum restraint” from both sides and called for immediate de-escalation. The U.S. State Department issued a statement expressing deep concern, calling for both nations to “step back from the brink” and engage in dialogue.
China, which shares close ties with Pakistan, has urged both sides to exercise calm but refrained from taking sides. Russia, which supplies arms to both countries, has offered to mediate, while France and Israel — both strategic partners of India — expressed strong support for India’s right to self-defence.
Nationwide Alert and Civil Readiness
Following the attempted missile strikes, India has placed all major urban centres on high alert. Emergency shelters have been activated in border states including Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir. Indian Railways has temporarily suspended services in sensitive sectors, and air traffic over northern air corridors has been rerouted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday night, calling the attack “a cowardly and unprovoked attempt to destabilise peace in the region.” He assured citizens that India remains vigilant and ready to protect its people.
“Our forces have shown the world that we are not only capable of defending our territory but also striking with precision when provoked. Peace is our preferred path, but we will never compromise on national security,” the Prime Minister said.
Strategic Implications
Defence analysts suggest this confrontation marks a new chapter in the India-Pakistan conflict spectrum — one where missile warfare and counter-missile technology play a decisive role. With both nations possessing nuclear capabilities, the risk of escalation remains dangerously high.
“This was a test of both resolve and technology,” said Dr. Arvind Menon, a strategic expert at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). “India’s interception of 15 missiles in real time shows the robustness of its defensive systems. However, such actions, if repeated, can rapidly spiral beyond conventional limits.”