Pakistan used 300-400 Turkish drones to target India's military infra, using civil airliners as shield: MEA

Pakistan violated Indian airspace using 300-400 Turkish drones on the intervening night of May 8 and May 9 along the western border with the intent of targeting military infrastructure, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

Addressing the MEA press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army said Pakistan army had attempted to attack military installations in 36 locations on the western borders, using Turkey’s SONGAR drones. “From Leh to Sir Creek, Pakistani army used drones for infiltration,” Col Qureshi added.

"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…" Colonel Qureshi said.

Many of these drones were neutralised by the Indian forces using kinetic and non-kinetic forces. A Pakistani UAV had also tried to attack a military station in Bathinda, but the attempt was thwarted by the Indian Armed Forces, she added.

In response to Pakistan's unprovoked attacks, the Indian Armed Forces launched armed drones at four defence sites of Pakistan, in which an AD radar of the neighbouring country was detroyed.

"The possible reasons for large area intrusions were to test the AD system and gather intelligence. Forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken. Later in the night, an armed UAV of Pakistan attempted to target Bhatinda military station which was detected and neutralised. In repsonse to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at 4 air defence sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar. Pakistan also carried out artileray shelling across the LoC using heavy caliber artillery guns and armed drones at Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir area which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian Army personnel," Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said.

"Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7 May at 08:30 hours in the evening. 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, it 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," she added.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri lashed out at Pakistan for spreading disinformation that India had targeted Nankama Sahib Gurdwara through a drone attack.

"Instead of owning up to its actions, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claims that it is the Indian armed forces that is targeting its own cities like Amritsar and trying to blame Pakistan… They are well-versed in such actions as their history would show… Pakistan spread disinformation that India targeted the Nankama Sahib Gurdwara through a drone attack, which is yet another blatant lie… Pakistan is trying desperately to impart a communal hue to the situation with an intention to create a communal discord," he said.

He also said that the Pakistani strikes on May 9 targeted places of worship with a particular design, adding that it was “a new low even for Pakistan”.

On whether the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is operational or not, Misri said, "... In view of the existing security scenario, the services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended till further directions..."

The briefing followed Indian armed forces neutralising Pakistan military's attempt to hit military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and some other locations with missiles and drones as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider military conflict.

Pakistan's fresh attempts to target Indian military installations came less than 24 hours after a similar attempt.

On Thursday afternoon, the defence ministry said Indian armed forces foiled Pakistan's attempts to target military installations in 15 cities in the northern and western parts of the country using missiles and drones.