Pakistan Launched 300-400 Drones Across Western Front, India Retaliated By Targeting Four Air Defence Sites: Briefing

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on Friday (9 May) held a press conference to share updates about the armed activities amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

The briefing said that on the intervening night of 8-9 May, Pakistan launched 300 to 400 drones at 36 locations including Bhatinda military station from Leh to Sir Creek across the western border and most of these drones were shot down by India.

It stated that Pakistan wanted to use these drones for surveillance and these drones were Turkish Asisguard Songar. In response, India launched armed drones targeting four air defence sites in Pakistan and one was able to destroy an Air Defence radar.

Apart from this, Pakistan continued firing and heavy artillery shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in casualties and injuries to several Indian Army soldiers.

The briefing also highlighted that even after Pakistan launched a failed and unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7 May evening, it didn't close its civil airspace with the motive of using civilians as shield as planes continue to fly near the International Border (IB).

On the other hand, India closed its civilian airspace, shutting 24 airports near the IB. In Pakistan, civil airlines are taking off and landing, between Karachi and Lahore, even after Lahore's air defence was neutralised by India.

"India's response was controlled, ensuring safety of international civil aviation," the statement said.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri countered Pakistan's claims that India is targeting religious sites and highlighted the damage caused by Pakistan's shelling to gurdwaras and Christian places.