'Pakistan attempted infiltration using 400 drones, used civil airliners as shields': MEA

In a joint press conference with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said that around 300 to 400 drones were deployed by Pakistan in attempts to infiltrate 36 locations. The Indian armed forces successfully shot down the drones using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods, she added.  

 

According to the Army, forensic analysis of the drone wreckage is underway and the initial findings suggest they were "Turkish Asisguard Songar drones". 

 

Pakistan continuously violated Indian airspace multiple times along the entire western border on the night of May 7 and 8 aiming for military infrastructure. "The Pakistani army fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control," said Qureshi. 

 

 

‘Pakistan used civil airliners as shields’

 

Along with Qureshi, IAF's Wing Commander Vyomika Singh also briefed about India's swift air defence response. India criticised Pakistan for using civil airliners as shields amid the escalating tensions.

 

"Pakistan is using civil airliners as shields, fully aware that its attack on India would provoke a swift air defence response," said Singh. She also added that Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite launching a failed, unprovoked drone and missile attack on May 7 at 8:30 pm. 

 

"This poses a danger to unsuspecting civil airliners, including international flights flying near the IB between India and Pakistan," said Singh. 

 

A screenshot of the data from the Flight Radar 24 application during a high air defence alert situation in the Punjab sector was shared during the conference revealing the airspace on the Indian side is completely devoid of civil air traffic due the declared closure. 

 

Civil airlines continued to fly the route between Karachi and Lahore. "The Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, ensuring the safety of international civil carriers." 

 

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan's action of deliberately targeting places of worship, calling it a new low for the country. " Instead of owning up to its actions, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claims that it is the Indian armed forces are targeting its own cities like Amritsar...Pakistan spread disinformation that India targeted the Nankama Sahib Gurdwara through a drone attack, which is yet another blatant lie," said Misri. 

 

The India-Pakistan tensions escalated after Pahalagam terror attack in Jammu Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. 

Defence