Indian Army thwarts cross border drone and missile attacks
Source:The Hindu ↗
Why It Matters
The event exemplifies the evolving threat of cross-border terrorism utilizing drones and missiles (UAVs), directly mapping to UPSC GS3 topics on internal security challenges and border management. It also provides a practical success case of indigenous defence technology (Akash missiles) neutralizing modern aerial threats.
Summary
The Indian Army thwarted a major coordinated drone and missile attack originating from Pakistan that targeted the Golden Temple in Amritsar and other civilian and military installations. Utilizing indigenous defence systems such as the Akash surface-to-air missiles and upgraded L-70 guns, the military successfully neutralised the incoming autonomous drones and loitering munitions. The incident underscores the severe escalation in cross-border terrorism and highlights the critical role of advanced indigenous air defence technology in maintaining internal security.
Key Points
- The Indian Army successfully intercepted a major cross-border attack from Pakistan involving multiple drones and missiles.
- The Golden Temple in Amritsar was identified as one of the primary targets, marking a severe escalation in threats to civilian and religious sites.
- Indigenous defence technologies, particularly the Akash missile system and upgraded L-70 air defence guns, were instrumental in thwarting the attack.
- The incident, part of ongoing hostilities termed 'Operation Sindoor', highlights the evolving nature of cross-border terrorism with the use of autonomous drones and loitering munitions.
Important Terms
Operation Sindoor
A tri-service military response by India (May 2025) targeting terror camps in Pakistan and PoK; notable for utilizing indigenous loitering munitions and precision strikes.
UPSC context
GS-III: Internal Security. Tests knowledge of India's retaliatory military doctrines and surgical/precision strike capabilities.
Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)
An indigenously developed short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system by DRDO, designed to engage multiple aerial threats like drones, cruise missiles, and jets simultaneously.
UPSC context
GS-III: Defence Technology. Vital for topics on indigenization of technology and Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense.
Loitering Munitions
Often called "suicide drones," these aerial weapons hover over a target area before identifying and crashing into a target to deliver an explosive payload.
UPSC context
GS-III: Science & Tech / Internal Security. Tests awareness of emerging asymmetric warfare threats and modern weaponry.
L-70 Anti-Aircraft Gun
A legacy anti-aircraft gun upgraded indigenously by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with advanced electro-optical sensors and radar integration to neutralize low-flying drones.
UPSC context
GS-III: Defence Technology. Focuses on the modernization of legacy hardware to counter contemporary security threats.
Cross-border Terrorism
Terrorist acts originating from one country (often state-sponsored) targeting another to cause instability, typically involving infiltration and sabotage across international boundaries.
UPSC context
GS-III: Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas. A core theme of India-Pakistan relations and internal security.
Border Security Force (BSF)
India's primary paramilitary force tasked with guarding the international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh during peacetime to prevent infiltration, smuggling, and trans-border crimes.
UPSC context
GS-III: Security Forces and Agencies. Tests understanding of various security forces and their specific mandates.
Prelims Trap
"The Akash missile is a long-range surface-to-air defense system developed jointly with a foreign partner."
Aspirants often confuse Akash with Barak-8 or S-400. Akash is an entirely indigenous short-to-medium-range SAM developed by DRDO under the IGMDP.
Static Concepts Connected
What are loitering munitions and how do they differ from traditional drones/missiles?
- Hybrid nature: They act as a hybrid, featuring the surveillance capacity of a UAV and the strike capability of a missile.
- Kamikaze capability: Unlike surveillance drones that return to base, they are designed to crash into targets with a built-in explosive warhead.
- Target confirmation: They can circle (loiter) over a target area for extended periods, waiting for the optimal moment to strike a mobile or hidden target.
What are the key technical features of the Akash Missile System?
- Indigenous SAM: It is a short-to-medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
- Rajendra Radar: It uses the indigenous 'Rajendra' electronically scanned 3D radar for autonomous target tracking and fire control.
- Multi-target capability: Capable of neutralizing multiple aerial targets simultaneously, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, and drones, even in active electronic countermeasure environments.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Asymmetric warfare & Border Management
The shift from merely smuggling contraband to precision-striking inland civilian/religious infrastructure blurs the line between traditional border guarding and active, tech-intensive air-defence.
Atmanirbharta in Kinetic Air Defence
Upgrading legacy platforms like L-70 guns with autonomous tracking alongside deploying indigenous SAMs (Akash) exemplifies cost-effective indigenization to counter the economic asymmetry of cheap swarm drones.
Expect a multi-statement Prelims question comparing the flight profiles and target-acquisition of loitering munitions vs cruise missiles.
Linked PYQs · 3
Linked PYQs · 3
- 2023MainsGS3
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.
- 2020MainsGS3
Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.
- 2018PrelimsGS1
What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news?
