New Delhi, May 9 (UNI) Pakistan launched 300-400 Turkish made drones at 36 locations along the western border, which were brought down by the Indian armed forces. India in retaliation launched armed drones at four Pakistani air defence sites, and one of them destroyed a radar, defence officials said today.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, briefing the media, said Pakistan also carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace border with an intent to target military infrastructure.
Pakistan military resorted to firing of heavy-caliber weapons along the Line of Control on the intervening night of May 8th - 9th.
“Along the International Border and Line of Control, drone intrusions were attempted from Leh to Sir Creek at 36 locations with approximately 300 to 400 drones. Indian Armed Forces brought down a number of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of these large-scale aerial intrusions were to test the anti-drone systems and gather intelligence,” the defence officials said.
Forensic examination of the drone debris is being done.
Preliminary reports suggest them to be of Asisguard Songar drone of Turkey.
Notably, Turkey is a close friend of Pakistan, and has been supportive of Islamabad with regard to the Pahalgam terror attacks, and has been critical of Operation Sindoor launched by India against cross-border terror infrastructure.
Later in the night, an armed UAV of Pakistan attempted to target Bathinda military station, which was detected and neutralised, they added.
In response to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD (anti-drone) radar.
Pakistan carried out artillery shelling across the Line of Control using heavy-caliber artillery guns and armed drones at Tangdhar, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor and Udhampur in J&K area, which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian Army personnel. Pakistan Army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing the briefing, said: “These provocative and escalatory actions that were taken by Pakistan last night were targeted at Indian cities and civilian infrastructure, in addition to some military targets. The Indian Armed Forces responded proportionately, adequately, and responsibly.”
On the Pakistani side denying the attacks, he said: “What I want to underline is that the official and blatantly farcical denial of these attacks that Pakistan carried out by the Pakistani State machinery is yet another example of their duplicity, and the new depths that they are plumbing in their quest for disinformation.”
UNI RN