Pakistan’s armed forces have successfully neutralized 25 Israeli-made Harop drones used by India in recent cross-border operations, as confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday. The drones were intercepted using a combination of electronic countermeasures (soft-kill techniques) and conventional weaponry (hard-kill systems) after being detected over various regions in Pakistan.
The ISPR referred to the drone incursions as a “desperate and panicked response” from India, which followed Pakistan’s retaliatory actions on May 6 and 7. During these operations, Pakistan downed five Indian fighter jets and targeted multiple military positions. The military’s media wing noted that debris from the drones is being recovered from several areas within Pakistan.
The statement further highlighted India’s significant losses along the Line of Control (LoC), with the Pakistan Armed Forces continuing to respond decisively to any hostile actions. “The Pakistan Armed Forces are actively countering all attempts by the enemy to destabilize our sovereignty,” the statement added.
Earlier, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that Pakistan’s forces intercepted and neutralized 12 Indian drones over several areas in the country, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Karachi, and Attock. These drones were part of India’s ongoing military aggression. A 13th drone partially struck a military target near Lahore, causing minimal damage.
“Four Pakistan Army personnel were injured in a drone attack in Lahore, and one civilian was martyred in Miano, Sindh,” the spokesperson confirmed.
The military emphasized that these repeated provocations by India are part of a continued pattern of aggression, and Pakistan remains on high alert to defend its airspace and territorial integrity. In reference to the destruction of five Indian aircraft by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the DG ISPR pointed out that India has “apparently lost the plot” and is facing significant casualties along the LoC.
The latest drone attacks come on the heels of a recent missile strike by India that resulted in the deaths of 31 people and injuries to 57 others in multiple locations across Pakistan. India claimed the strike was a retaliation for an earlier attack on April 22, which caused the deaths of 26 tourists.
Pakistan’s military response continues to highlight the volatile situation, with growing concerns about the broader regional and global security implications of the ongoing conflict.
Pakistan and India NSAs Establish Contact Amid Escalating Tensions
Meanwhile, the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of Pakistan and India have established communication following India’s missile attacks on Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK). Pakistan’s NSA Lt General Asim Malik, who also serves as the Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), spoke with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that the two NSAs were in contact, although he refrained from providing further details about the discussions. Officials believe these talks are part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two countries.
The communication between the NSAs follows behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, with international players, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also involved in encouraging both sides to ease the situation. Rubio, who also holds the role of NSA, spoke to both Pakistani and Indian counterparts shortly after the Indian missile strikes.
The recent flare-up between the two nations follows the tragic missile strikes on May 6-7, which resulted in at least 31 deaths and dozens of injuries across Pakistan. India had launched the missile strikes, claiming retaliation for a previous attack on its territory.
Both countries have been working through tense diplomatic channels to avoid further escalation, but the situation remains volatile with the international community closely monitoring developments.
