New Delhi: In a major escalation, Pakistan launched a coordinated drone and missile attack on multiple Indian military installations across Northern and Western India late Wednesday night. Targets included key locations such as Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Bhuj, among others.

The Indian Armed Forces swiftly responded, activating the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and deploying advanced air defense systems, including the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra missiles. According to domain experts quoted by ANI, all incoming threats were successfully neutralised.

Debris from intercepted drones and missiles is currently being recovered across several locations, confirming the attempted cross-border strikes. An official statement from the Indian government is awaited.

The ministry said Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using mortars and heavy calibre artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Sixteen innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing," the ministry said.

Here too, India was compelled to respond to bring mortar and artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt, it said.

"Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military," the ministry said.