New Delhi, May 9: In a major escalation along the western front, the Pakistani military launched a large-scale drone incursion into Indian airspace during the night of May 7 and 8, targeting Indian defence infrastructure across multiple sectors.
Addressing the media on Friday, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that approximately 300 to 400 drones were deployed across 36 strategic locations. Indian forces responded swiftly, neutralising several drones through both kinetic and electronic warfare techniques.
Colonel Qureshi stated, "The Pakistani army violated Indian airspace multiple times across the western border with the intent of targeting our military infrastructure. Alongside drone intrusions, they also engaged in heavy-calibre shelling across the Line of Control. A significant number of drones were intercepted and neutralised."
She further noted that initial forensic analysis indicates the drones were Turkish-manufactured Asisguard Songar models, likely used for reconnaissance and testing India’s air defence systems.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh also addressed the media, highlighting Pakistan's misuse of civilian air traffic during the conflict. "Despite initiating an unprovoked attack on May 7 at 8:30 PM, Pakistan did not close its civilian airspace, even as it launched drones and missiles. This reckless move endangered international civil airliners flying near the Indo-Pak border," she said, referencing real-time air traffic data from FlightRadar24.
"In contrast," she added, "India proactively cleared its airspace to safeguard civilian lives. Our response was measured and precise. Armed drones were deployed against four Pakistani air defence sites, one of which successfully disabled an AD radar."
Pakistan also launched artillery shelling using heavy-calibre guns and armed drones across the LoC, resulting in casualties on both sides. Indian retaliation inflicted significant damage on Pakistani military positions, sources confirmed.
Defence officials revealed that Pakistan used Hamas-style tactics in targeting Jammu on Thursday, employing low-cost rockets in a manner reminiscent of recent attacks on Israel. This act is being viewed as a desperate response to India’s recent Operation Sindoor, during which Indian forces targeted nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 8. The operation was a retaliatory strike following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Earlier on Thursday, the Indian Army successfully intercepted over 50 Pakistani drones in a large-scale anti-drone operation across the LoC and International Borders. Additionally, an air defence system near Lahore was destroyed as part of India’s defensive actions. (With Agency Input)
