Sources in the armed forces have revealed that Pakistan used 500 drones to target 24 cities in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat for over three-and-a-half hours on May 8.

Amidst the ongoing military conflict, India successfully thwarted a significant overnight offensive by Pakistan involving drones and missiles aimed at military installations, including Jammu and Pathankot. This follows the interception of similar attempts at 15 locations across India's northern and western regions.

In a brazen escalation, Pakistan launched what is being described as its most audacious assault on Jammu since the 1971 war. Sources indicate that a swarm of over a hundred Kamikaze drones and missiles was deployed in a concerted effort to inflict widespread damage on the city. However, Indian defenses responded with remarkable precision, courage, and resilience.

The 26 Infantry Division, known as the "Tiger Division" under the 9 Corps, which oversees the operational area of Jammu, had established a robust and sophisticated air-defense system. This multi-layered shield effectively functioned as an "Iron Dome," akin to Israel's defense system, protecting Jammu from what officials described as a "Hamas-style attack" by Pakistan.

An official privy to the developments highlighted the meticulous integration of personnel and advanced technology that successfully countered the massive Pakistani assault. The Indian Army, supported by a state-of-the-art air-defense network, intercepted the aerial barrage with exceptional accuracy, reportedly destroying virtually every hostile object mid-air. Crucially, no vital installations were hit, and no civilian lives were lost.

"Eight missiles from Pakistan were directed at Satwari, Samba, R S Pura, and Arnia. All were intercepted and blocked by air-defense units. The visuals over Jammu were reminiscent of a Hamas-style attack on Israel, involving multiple low-cost rockets," an Army official stated.

The official further asserted that the Pakistan Army's operational methods were akin to those of Hamas. "Drones were sighted at multiple places along the western front – confirmed to be hostile. They are being effectively engaged by our air-defense systems. Pakistani drone attacks have been reported at various locations along the western borders and are being effectively countered by the Indian armed forces," he added.

The effectiveness of India's response is attributed to its multi-tier air-defense system, which incorporates a dual technological architecture featuring Russian and Israeli surface-to-air missile systems, complemented by the indigenously developed Akash missile. This sophisticated setup proved to be a decisive factor in neutralizing the attack.

According to reports, Pakistan's overnight offensive targeted the districts of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch. Jammu bore the brunt of the assault, experiencing both missile and drone attacks, as well as firing aimed at civilian and strategic locations in areas along the border with Pakistan, including Satwari, R S Pura, Arnia, Akhnoor, Kanachak, and Pargwal. The hinterland of Jammu and Udhampur, which houses the Northern Command of the Indian Army, were also reportedly targeted.

(This is a developing story)