Indian Defence officials have expressed alarm over a recent missile and drone attack by Pakistan in the Jammu region, likening the operation to the tactics employed by Hamas during its assault on Israel in October 2023. The attack reportedly involved multiple low-cost rockets and drone swarms, drawing parallels to the high-volume, low-cost strategy used by Hamas to effectively overwhelm Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system. This shift in tactics raises concerns about an evolving operational landscape in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
Military sources indicate that Indian air defense systems were able to intercept eight missiles aimed at Jammu and its surrounding areas. This incident took place amid a broader surge of hostilities, prompting the Indian Armed Forces to activate both the S-400 and an Integrated Counter-UAS Grid. This expansive deployment spans approximately 1,800 kilometers from Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir to Bhuj in Gujarat. The air defense systems managed to neutralize a range of drones and rockets that targeted 15 military installations, with debris from the intercepted attacks scattered across various locations, underscoring the intensity of the thwarted offensive.
Defence analysts have noted that Pakistan appears to be adopting a strategy reminiscent of the “Hamas playbook,” utilizing inexpensive and easily replicable weaponry to attempt to saturate and potentially overwhelm high-cost air defense systems. This tactic recalls Hamas’s 2023 rocket strikes, which led to over 1,200 civilian casualties in Israel and temporarily outstripped the capabilities of the Iron Dome, according to research by the Institute for National Security Studies.
Officials attribute this shift in Pakistan’s military strategy to a series of Indian precision strikes known as Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 7-8. This operation reportedly resulted in the destruction of nine terror camps and the elimination of over 100 militants, as reported by The Times of India.
The Ministry of Defence has issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan’s tactics, characterizing them as destabilizing and dangerous. Authorities have warned that the continued use of such asymmetric warfare methods will provoke a robust and sustained response from India. Drawing a parallel with Israel’s approach of swift retaliatory action against Hamas, Indian officials reaffirmed their commitment to national security and regional stability.
As tensions escalate, security forces across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and bordering regions remain on high alert amid intelligence warnings regarding possible follow-up attacks. The unfolding situation highlights growing apprehensions about the militarization of irregular warfare tactics within South Asia.
