Operation Sindoor: 'India targets at least 4 Pakistan air bases in retaliatory strikes'

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday targeted at least four Pakistan air bases in retaliatory strikes reacting to massive provocation and escalation from across the border in the last two days, news agency ANI reported quoting sources.Early on Saturday, multiple explosions were heard at several locations in Pakistan pointing to Indian punitive action. Pakistan claimed that its three air bases were targeted - Nur Khan air base in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad, Murid air base in Chakwal city and Rafiqui air base in the Jhang district of eastern Punjab province.Reports also said that Army has destroyed Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads, from where tube-launched drones were also being launched, as per defence sources.Surface-to-air missile systems were activated in Srinagar and there was heavy engagement ongoing at the LoC. The Indian retaliatory action comes in the wake of continuous targeting of Indian cities and security establishment by Pakistan. On Friday, Pakistan used armed drones to target 26 locations across the border -- from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat.Defence sources said the enemy's attempts to hit vital installations for second successive night, included airports and air bases, were successfully thwarted.On Thursday night, India successfully prevented Pakistan's attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles after foiling its attempts to target military installations in 15 cities in the northern and western parts of the country.The Indian armed forces had on Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent civilians were killed.The ministry of external affairs had on Friday said that the Indian armed forces responded “proportionately, adequately, and responsibly” to Pakistan's provocative drone and artillery attacks on Thursday night. It also added that India in its retaliatory action launched armed drones at four Pakistani defence sites and destroyed its AD radar.The response followed Pakistan's large-scale violation of Indian airspace on the night of May 7 and 8, when it launched hundreds of drones and heavy artillery across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border.Colonel Sofiya Qureshi explained the nature of the attack: "On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy caliber weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations. The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones."