Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said India launched armed drones on four Pakistani air defence sites, destroying one radar, and retaliated to Pakistan’s heavy shelling and drone attacks that caused casualties
Published May 09, 2025 | 8:00 PM ⚊ Updated May 09, 2025 | 8:00 PM
“Pakistan using civil airliner as shield” MEA on Pakistan’s continued aggression
Synopsis: Amid rising tensions with Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday confirmed that India thwarted large-scale Pakistani drone intrusions and cross-border shelling. The MEA said 300–400 drones targeted military sites, likely to test air defences and gather intelligence. Many were shot down, and forensic analysis of wreckage indicates the use of Turkish-made Songar drones by Pakistan
The Ministry of External Affairs addressed a press conference on Friday amid heightened tensions with Pakistan. This briefing comes a day after India thwarted Pakistan’s fresh attempts to strike military installations and civilians.
Briefing the media after a night of high escalation from the Pakistan side, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence.”
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said, “On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations. The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means,” adding that, “The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones…”
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated that responding to this aggression, Indian armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan and one of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar. She also said that Pakistan carried out artillery shelling across the line of control using heavy-calibre artillery guns and armed drones which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian army personnel. She added that Pakistan army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire.
On the irresponsibility of Pakistan not closing its civil airspace, despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7 May at 08:30 hours in the evening, she says, “Pakistan is using civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response. This is not safe for the unsuspecting civil airliners including the international flights which were flying near IB between India and Pakistan. The screenshot we just showed, shows the data of the application flight radar 24 during a high air defence alert situation in the Punjab sector. As you have seen, the airspace on the Indian side is absolutely devoid of civil air traffic due to our declared closure. However, there are civil airlines flying the air route between Karachi and Lahore…Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response thus ensuring safety of international civil carriers.”
Misri said that the Pakistani side even targeted places of worship “with a particular design.” The Gurdwara in Poonch in particular was attacked by Pakistan, he said, adding “it is a new low even for Pakistan”. “Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claim that it was the Indian armed forces and IAF that was targeting cities like Amritsar and trying to put the blame on Pak. This is nothing but a desperate attempt by Pakistan to disown its acts of aggression.”
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
