On Thursday night, India retaliated strongly after Pakistan launched drones and missiles targeting cities in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. In a major strategic win, India shot down Pakistan’s AWACS aircraft and three fighter jets, delivering a significant blow to Pakistan’s surveillance capabilities.

BulletsIn

• Pakistan fired drones, missiles toward Indian border cities Thursday night
• India downed all drones, no casualties reported on Indian side
• Indian forces shot down Pakistan’s AWACS jet inside Punjab province
• AWACS key for radar surveillance, early threat detection, and command
• Pakistan also lost 1 F-16 and 2 JF-17 fighter jets in counterattack
• AWACS loss hampers Pakistan’s air defense coordination ability
• Aircraft plays vital role in monitoring hundreds of targets in real time
• India’s response under Operation Sindoor included precision air defense
• Conflict escalation follows terror-linked tensions, including Pahalgam attack
• Situation remains tense; India maintains high alert across northern borders