In the most intense escalation along the western front in recent times, Pakistan deployed 300 to 400 drones across 36 locations along the India-Pakistan border during the night of May 7 and 8, violating Indian airspace and attempting to target key Indian military infrastructure.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, speaking at a press briefing on Friday, stated:
“On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times to target military infrastructure. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations.”
Colonel Qureshi further revealed that Indian forces intercepted a significant number of these UAVs using both kinetic (missile/gunfire) and non-kinetic (electronic warfare/jamming) methods. Preliminary forensic analysis of drone wreckage suggests they were Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones, known for their lightweight design and weaponized capabilities.
The Indian armed forces suspect the primary objective of this mass drone infiltration was to test India’s air defence capabilities and to gather surveillance intelligence on critical infrastructure.
Civilian Air Traffic Used as Shield: IAF Raises Alarm
In a significant disclosure, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh revealed that Pakistan continued civil air traffic operations despite initiating a drone and missile attack on May 7 at 8:30 PM, thereby endangering international civilian flights.
“Pakistan is using a civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response,” said Wing Commander Singh, referencing data from FlightRadar24 that displayed normal civil traffic over Pakistani airspace, particularly between Karachi and Lahore, while Indian airspace was cleared of civil flights for safety.
In response, Indian armed drones were launched at four Pakistani air defence sites, with one drone successfully destroying an AD radar. Indian armed forces also engaged in counter-artillery fire along the LoC, inflicting significant damage on Pakistani positions.
Context: Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam Attack
This surge in hostilities follows India’s Operation Sindoor, a surgical military campaign launched on May 6 targeting nine terror infrastructure hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was a retaliatory measure after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 Indian lives.
Following this, Pakistan attempted “Hamas-style” rocket attacks on Jammu, mimicking the use of cheap, unguided rockets as employed in the Israel-Gaza conflict. India responded with an extensive counter-drone operation, shooting down more than 50 drones on May 7 alone, and successfully neutralising Pakistan’s attempts to target military installations in northern and western India.
Rising Stakes and Strategic Signals
The use of foreign-origin weaponized drones, the manipulation of civilian air routes, and high-intensity artillery fire signal a dramatic elevation in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed nations. Despite provocation, India’s calibrated military and diplomatic responses reflect a measured posture prioritizing civilian safety and regional stability.