Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds a private meeting with CDS, three service chiefs to review the security situation in the country

New Delhi (India) May 9: During a high-level, private meeting in New Delhi, India's military leaders and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were calm and even smiling. Less than 24 hours after Pakistan launched a series of drone and missile attacks along India's western border, the meeting was attended by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

The purpose of the conference was to determine the security situation in the light of India's recent cross-border Operation Sindoor strikes.

Around 8:30 p.m. Friday night, Pakistan launched a second wave of airstrikes on military bases and many cities in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab, but India stopped them. The Indian Army quickly responded to Pakistan's targeting of military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.

The army stated that,"Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir."

"Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force," the army also added.

The JF-17 fighter plane of the Pakistan Air Force was shot down by India. India's security measures stopped Pakistan's attempts to launch strikes within the country earlier on Thursday. Two more fighter planes, including a JF-17 and an F-16, were reportedly lost by Pakistan during its attempt to enter Indian airspace.

According to sources, Indian security forces have also arrested a Pakistani pilot in the Lathi region of Rajasthan after his JF-17 fighter plane was shot down close to the border. A search is in progress for any other crew members or debris after the aircraft wreckage was discovered close to Jaisalmer. Another Pakistan Army pilot is being searched for, according to reports.

After the murders of 26 individuals, primarily civilians, by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan rose. On May 7, the Indian military launched missile attacks against terror sites, including Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group, as part of Operation Sindoor, powerful revenge for the Pahalgam attack.

Aadrika Tayal