Pakistan’s military has reported successfully intercepting and destroying 25 Indian drones that violated its airspace in a coordinated overnight attack. The drones, identified as Israeli-made Harop MK-2 models, were shot down in multiple cities, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Karachi, Chor, Miano, and Attock. According to military officials, the drones were high-altitude surveillance and attack UAVs capable of operating at 35,000 feet, beyond the range of conventional anti-aircraft defenses.
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that one civilian was killed and five others, including four soldiers, were injured in the strikes. The civilian casualty occurred in Miano, Sindh, where a drone crashed near a village, while the military personnel were wounded in Lahore. Chaudhry described India’s actions as a “blatant violation of international law” and accused New Delhi of deliberately targeting civilian areas to provoke instability in the region.
This latest escalation comes just days after Indian missile strikes on May 6-7 killed 31 people and injured 57 across Pakistan. India had claimed the strikes were in retaliation for an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 dead. Pakistan has repeatedly denied any involvement in the Kashmir attack and demanded evidence, which India has not provided.
In response to the missile strikes, Pakistan conducted retaliatory airstrikes, shooting down five Indian fighter jets, including four advanced French-made Rafale aircraft—marking the first combat loss of a Rafale jet globally. Analysts noted that Pakistan’s use of Chinese J-10C jets, acquired in response to India’s Rafale fleet, proved highly effective in countering the threat. A French intelligence official later confirmed to CNN that one Rafale had indeed been destroyed by Pakistani forces.
The military spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces remain on high alert and are fully prepared to respond to any further aggression. “India is acting out of panic after suffering significant losses, including the destruction of multiple border posts and casualties among its troops,” Chaudhry stated. He warned that such reckless actions could spiral into a larger conflict if the international community fails to intervene.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned India’s aggression, vowing that Pakistan would “avenge every drop of blood shed by its martyrs.” In a televised address, he accused India of violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and attempting to divert attention from its domestic crises through military adventurism.
Advanced Capabilities of Harop Drones
The Harop, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is a next-generation loitering munition that combines the features of a drone and a missile. Unlike conventional UAVs, it can hover over a target area for extended periods before striking with precision upon command. Key features include:
Dual-Role Functionality: Acts as both a surveillance drone and an attack missile, capable of identifying and engaging high-value targets, including air defense systems.
Autonomous & Manual Modes: Can operate independently or under human control, with the ability to abort missions and return to base if no target is acquired.
Combat-Proven Performance: Used extensively in conflicts such as the Nagorno-Karabakh war (by Azerbaijan) and in Syria, where it reportedly destroyed air defense systems.
Difficult to Counter: Operates via satellite links, making traditional radio-frequency jamming ineffective against it.
Also read: Gandapur condemns Indian aggression, vows full support to Pakistan’s defense
