Uri (J&K) — Security forces successfully foiled an attempted strike by Pakistan on the Uri hydropower plants hours after India launched Operation Sindoor, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The attack, involving drones and cross-border shelling, was repelled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which ensured that the critical infrastructure and nearby civilian settlements emerged unscathed.
What Happened
- According to CISF, during the intervening night of May 6–7, 2025, Pakistan launched a retaliatory attack on the Uri Hydro Electric Power Projects (UHEP-I and II) near the Line of Control (LoC), deploying drones and indiscriminate shelling — a response to Operation Sindoor’s early strikes against terrorist infrastructure across the border.
- The plant, located just a few kilometres from the LoC, lies in a highly vulnerable zone, making it a prime target during escalation.
CISF’s Swift Response
- A 19-member CISF team, led by Commandant Ravi Yadav, carried out emergency protocols: bunkers were reinforced, lights switched off, weapons were secured, and real-time threat analysis was maintained.
- The team neutralised hostile drones aimed at the installation — with some drones shot down and others forced away by allied agencies.
- Despite heavy shelling, CISF carried out a door-to-door evacuation of approximately 250 civilians (including NHPC staff, their families, women, and children) from nearby residential quarters to safe bunkers — with zero casualties reported.
Honours for Bravery
In recognition of their “exemplary courage and professionalism,” the 19 CISF personnel on duty that night were awarded the force’s Director General’s Disc at a ceremony held at CISF headquarters in New Delhi.
Context: Operation Sindoor & Retaliation
- The attack on Uri followed the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, when Indian security forces struck multiple terrorist and militant hideouts across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- In immediate retaliation, Pakistani forces opened fire and launched drone attacks on sensitive installations along the LoC — among them the Uri hydropower plant.
🧭 Broader Implications
The incident underscores the fragile security environment along the LoC — where strategic infrastructure remains exposed during military escalations. The successful defence of the Uri plant highlights:
- The effectiveness of improved intelligence and rapid-response measures by India’s security forces.
- The importance of civilian-protective operations during cross-border shelling.
- The potential deterrence value of neutralising a high-value target while safeguarding critical infrastructure and lives.
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