Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday convened a high-level security review meeting at South Block in New Delhi, following Pakistan’s failed attempt to launch a large-scale drone and missile strike against Indian military targets.
The meeting, held amid heightened tensions post-Operation Sindoor, included Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Defence Secretary RK Singh. The top brass assessed the evolving security scenario along the Line of Control (LoC) and western border, where Indian forces successfully repelled multiple drone intrusions.
Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, targeted nine terror infrastructure hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday. In response, Pakistan attempted a massive drone and missile assault on Indian positions during the night of May 7-8, which was effectively countered by India’s Integrated Air Defence and Counter-UAS Grid.
“Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and munitions along the entire Western Border and the LoC. These were effectively repulsed, and a befitting reply was given. The Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation,” read a statement from the Indian Army.
Defence officials confirmed that the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system played a pivotal role in intercepting the aerial threats. Deployed extensively along the Pakistan border by both the Indian Army and Air Force, the Akash system demonstrated its capacity to track and neutralise multiple targets with high precision.
“The ‘Made in India’ Akash system has been crucial in foiling Pakistani attacks toward Indian targets,” a senior official noted.
The Akash missile system features real-time threat evaluation, multi-target engagement, and command guidance, and uses a phased array radar for missile interception. Its ability to operate autonomously or in coordination with other defence platforms makes it a cornerstone of India’s air defence.
In addition to neutralising over 50 Pakistani drones, Indian forces reportedly disabled an air defence system in Lahore, dealing a strategic blow to Pakistan’s aerial capabilities.
With tensions still simmering, Rajnath Singh’s review signals the government’s readiness to maintain high operational preparedness and respond decisively to any further aggression.
