India's Operation Sindoor Retaliates to Pakistan's Drone Attacks Using 300-400 Drones and Civil Airliners as Shields in J&K

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and military officials have detailed the country's response to provocative actions by Pakistan on the night of May 7-8, 2025. Pakistan launched a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack at 8:30 PM on May 7, targeting Indian cities, civilian infrastructure, and military establishments. Despite these attacks, Pakistan did not close its civil airspace, allegedly using civilian airliners as shields during the assault. Pakistani forces conducted cross-border shelling across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Tangdhar, Poonch, Uri, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor, and Udhampur sectors, employing heavy-caliber artillery guns and armed drones. Around 300 to 400 drones were reportedly used in attempts to infiltrate 36 locations. Indian armed forces responded proportionately and effectively under Operation Sindoor, neutralizing threats including an armed UAV targeting the Bathinda Military Station. Indian officials highlighted Pakistan's use of civil airliners as a human shield and noted significant losses suffered by the Pakistani military during the counteraction. The operation exposed Pakistan's reckless behavior and attempts to compromise India's air defense systems and gather intelligence through large-scale aerial intrusions.