Air Defence Units in Lahore and Sialkot Damaged Amid Tensions
Pakistan’s Air Defence Systems Hit in Retaliatory Strike
Pakistan’s air defence units in Lahore and Sialkot have suffered significant damage following retaliatory strikes by Indian forces. Sources report that the HQ-9 missile defence systems, developed by China, were targeted and destroyed, effectively crippling the Pakistani army’s air defence capabilities in Lahore.
The attack on Pakistan’s air defence radars comes a day after India’s Operation Sindoor, which saw a series of strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This operation, named after the color Sindoor (vermilion), was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
Heavy Damage to Air Defence Infrastructure
Sources say that the air defence radars at multiple locations across Pakistan, including Lahore, were targeted and destroyed by Indian forces on Thursday. The HQ-9 missile defence system, one of the most advanced in Pakistan's arsenal, was hit, effectively rendering Pakistan’s forces vulnerable to further attacks in the region.
The strike on Lahore is being seen as part of a broader escalation, with Pakistani military officials confirming that several military targets, including air defence systems, were struck in response to India’s Operation Sindoor. Pakistan had earlier claimed to have shot down multiple Indian drones, including Israeli-made Harop models, over cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Aftermath of Operation Sindoor
The missile strikes, which targeted known terror camps in Pakistan, were India’s retaliation to the recent attack in Pahalgam, where 26 lives were lost. Following the strike, the Pakistani military reportedly made multiple attempts to hit military targets in India. However, the destruction of their air defence systems in Lahore has left them vulnerable, further escalating tensions in the region.
Both India and Pakistan have heightened military preparedness, and several border regions have witnessed evacuations. There are growing concerns over the potential for further violence, with both nations maintaining high alert levels and the international community urging restraint.
