Pakistan targeted 36 sites with 300–400 Turkish drones: Indian Government

The Indian government on Friday accused the Pakistan military of deploying Turkish-made drones in a large-scale cross-border operation on May 8, targeting Indian military infrastructure.

At a joint press briefing, officials revealed that preliminary forensic analysis of debris recovered from downed drones indicates the use of Turkish-origin Asisguard Songar drones, known for their surveillance and precision-strike capabilities.

“On the intervening night of May 8 and 9, 2025, the Pakistan military carried out multiple airspace violations across India’s western border, aimed at targeting military installations,” said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

She also confirmed that Pakistani forces opened fire using heavy-caliber artillery along the Line of Control (LoC).

Indian authorities reported extensive aerial incursions. “Drone intrusions were attempted at 36 locations along the International Border and LoC—from Leh to Sir Creek—using approximately 300 to 400 drones, along with other non-kinetic methods,” said the officials.

They added that the likely intent of these intrusions was to test India’s air defence systems and gather intelligence.

Later that night, the situation escalated when “an armed UAV launched by Pakistan attempted to strike the Bathinda military station, but it was detected and neutralised.”

India launched a retaliatory strike. “Armed drones were deployed against four air defence installations in Pakistan. One of them successfully destroyed an air defence radar,” the government stated.

Officials also highlighted that the aggression wasn’t limited to aerial activity. “Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling across the LoC, using heavy-caliber guns and armed drones to target areas including Sunder, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor, and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. These attacks caused casualties and injuries among Indian Army personnel.”

“Pakistan Army units suffered significant losses in the retaliatory fire,” an official confirmed during the briefing led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.