Indian Army reveals Lahore-launched Turkish drone shot down during Operation Sindoor

(Screengrab: X/PTI)

During the 54th Vijay Diwas celebrations, the Indian Army showcased a reconstructed kamikaze drone launched by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, highlighting a recent operational success alongside memories of the 1971 war.

According to officials, the Turkish-origin Yiiha drone was shot down on May 10 while heading towards Jalandhar. The drone, launched from Lahore International Airport, was flying at an altitude of around 2,000 metres and was carrying a 10 kg explosive payload.

The unmanned aerial vehicle had a reported range of 190 km, a wingspan of about two metres, and was powered by a 170cc two-stroke engine. Officials said the drone was neutralised before it could reach its intended target.

VIDEO | On the eve of Vijay Diwas, the Indian Army displayed a reconstructed Turkish kamikaze drone Yiiha shot down during Operation Sindoor on May 10. Launched from Lahore International Airport, the drone was flying at 2,000 m toward its intended target Jalandhar. It carried a… pic.twitter.com/ZBXxwup3Y9

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 15, 2025

Vijay Diwas is observed every year on December 16 to mark India’s decisive victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, a conflict that led to the liberation of Bangladesh. This year marks the 54th anniversary of that historic win.

As part of the commemorations, the Indian Army organised a large-scale painting competition at the Albert Ekka War Memorial in Agartala. The event saw enthusiastic participation from schoolchildren and was themed “1971 Indo-Pak War: The Saga of Valour”.

Students from 13 schools across Agartala took part in the competition across four age categories, depicting scenes of bravery, sacrifice and national pride linked to the 1971 war.

According to ANI, the event was organised by personnel of the Spear Corps, who highlighted the role and sacrifices of the Indian Army and the people of Tripura during the 1971 conflict.