India, May 8 -- The Indian military on Thursday thwarted attempts by Pakistan forces to hit several military targets in 15 cities in the country's north and west using missiles and drones, and targeted Pakistan's air defence network at several locations in that country with the one in Lahore being destroyed in the counter-attack, the defence ministry said.

"Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan... It has been reliably learnt that an air defence system at Lahore has been neutralised," the ministry said in a statement, as tensions rose further between the nuclear-armed neighbours who have fought four wars.

It added that "Pakistan's bid to escalate was negated and drew a proportionate response."

India...