How India foiled Pakistan’s plan to target 15 cities

NEW DELHI: In a swift and coordinated military response, India foiled Pakistan’s attempted drone and missile strikes on 15 Indian cities reaffirming its resolve to protect national security while maintaining a non-escalatory posture.According to the Ministry of Defence, Pakistan launched a wave of aerial attacks on the night of May 7–8, attempting to strike Indian military installations in Northern and Western India.The cities included:These attempted attacks were neutralised by India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems, preventing any damage to Indian assets. Officials confirmed that debris from Pakistani drones and missiles has been recovered at multiple sites, providing concrete evidence of the assault.According to ANI, "Indian Air Force S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence missile systems were fired last night against targets moving towards India". The targets were successfully neutralised in the operation say multiple domain experts to ANI. However, the government is yet to confirm this.Government had earlier, during a press briefing on Operation Sindoor on May 7, described its retaliatory strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as "focused, measured and non-escalatory." It had also clarified that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted in that wave of strikes.However, following Pakistan’s attempted escalation, armed forces responded proportionately by striking Pakistani air defence systems, including one at Lahore, which was neutralised. Pakistan intensified unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), using mortars and heavy artillery in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors. This resulted in the tragic loss of 16 civilian lives, including three women and five children.India’s armed forces have reiterated their commitment to non-escalation, underlining that such restraint hinges on reciprocity from the Pakistani military.