Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting at his residence on Friday. The session came amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Several top officials attended the meeting. These included Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi were also present.
Rajnath Singh Reviews Security Post Pakistani Attacks
A little while ago today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the prevailing security scenario. The review was conducted the day after Pakistani attempts to target Indian cities as well as civilian infrastructure, with some military locations, were turned back by Indian Defence Forces successfully.
The sitting was attended by the nation’s highest security generals. and Defence Secretary RK Singh was also among those present.
Pakistan on Thursday evening launched a series of coordinated drone and missile strikes along India’s western frontier, targeting multiple areas. Defence officials stated that the the attacks were repelled by India’s air defence systems, including the S-400 missile defence system, preventing major damage.
Colonel Qureshi Confirms Airspace Violations
Speaking at a joint press conference, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stated that, in a significant escalation along India’s western border, the Pakistani military conducted several airspace violations and drone incursions. These took place on the night of May 7–8 and targeted Indian military installations.
Qureshi disclosed that 300 to 400 drones were used across 36 sites. Some of them were brought down by Indian forces, who employed both kinetic and non-kinetic measures. Preliminary investigations indicate the drones used were Turkish Asisguard Songar models.
“On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border to target military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations,” she said.
“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 drone,” she added.
India Slams Pakistan’s “Escalatory Actions”
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri strongly condemned Pakistan’s “provocative and escalatory actions” and said Indian Armed Forces responded appropriately.
“These provocative and escalatory actions taken by Pakistan last night were targeted at Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to military establishments. Indian armed forces responded proportionately, adequately, and responsibly… The official and blatantly farsical denial of these attacks that Pakistan carried out, by the Pakistani state machinery is another example of their duplicity and the new depths they are plumbing to,” Misri said.
