New Delhi, India — In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Pakistan reportedly launched between 300 and 400 Turkish drones late Thursday night targeting Indian military installations across various regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab. The offensive, according to remarks from Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during a Friday evening press briefing, stretched from Srinagar in the north to Jaisalmer in the west and beyond to Pathankot.
Col. Qureshi noted the unusual breadth of the assault, which also saw drone activity detected at the Siachen glacier base camp in Ladakh and the Kutch region in Gujarat—nearly 1,400 kilometers apart. Indian air defenses proved effective, with approximately 50 drones shot down by ground-based air defense systems. Additionally, 20 drones were neutralized through jamming technology, showcasing India’s preparedness against aerial incursions.
While most of the drones were unarmed, their reconnaissance capabilities raised alarm. Many were equipped with cameras, potentially transmitting sensitive footage back to Pakistan. Sources indicated that the Asiguard SONGAR drones, known for their effectiveness in varied military operations, were among those deployed. The drones possess an operational range of about 5 kilometers, suggesting a significant operational strategy focused on testing India’s defensive readiness.
Amidst the chaos, debris from a Pakistani missile reportedly landed near a village in Punjab, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Col. Qureshi condemned the drone assault as a blatant violation of the existing ceasefire agreement, which had already been under strain due to continued artillery exchanges along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 Indians, including a soldier.
In what appeared to be a coordinated military response, Indian forces inflicted “heavy damage” on their counterparts. Col. Qureshi emphasized that India’s air defenses not only thwarted the drone incursions but also acted decisively against Pakistani missile attacks, effectively disabling key air defense networks across the border.
Analysis of the debris, which includes remnants found in Amritsar, may provide further evidence linking Pakistan to past terrorist activities against India. Military officials stated that the high efficiency with which India’s Air Force responded highlights its aerial superiority, claiming that India not only defends its airspace but asserts control over it.
This escalation follows the timing of Operation Sindoor, a precision strike conducted by India earlier the same evening, aimed at dismantling nine terror camps in Pakistani-controlled regions without targeting Pakistani military installations. In retaliation, Pakistan launched a significant barrage of missiles intended for Indian military facilities. However, India’s integrated counter-unmanned aerial systems successfully intercepted the incoming threats in both waves of attacks.
Furthermore, the Indian Air Force utilized its domestically developed Akash missile defense system, likened in capability to Israel’s Iron Dome, to repel subsequent drone and missile strikes. The incident illustrates the fraught and volatile tensions in the region, highlighting both nations’ military capabilities and the constant specter of conflict that looms over their relationship.