The Pakistan Armed Forces have neutralized 25 Israeli-made Harop drones deployed by India during recent cross-border hostilities, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Thursday.
The drones were intercepted using both electronic countermeasures (soft-kill) and conventional weaponry (hard-kill) across multiple regions in Pakistan. The ISPR described these incursions as a “desperate and panicked response” by India following Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes on May 6 and 7, which downed five Indian fighter jets and destroyed military posts.
READ MORE: Pakistan Shoots Down 3 Indian Drones in Lahore Amid Cross-Border Tensions
Debris from the drones is being recovered, and India is reported to have suffered heavy losses along the Line of Control (LoC). In earlier briefings, DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed the interception of 12 drones on May 7 and 8 in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Karachi, Chor, Miano, and Attock. One drone caused minor equipment damage near Lahore.
The attacks injured four army personnel in Lahore and killed one civilian in Miano, Sindh. Pakistan’s military has condemned the strikes as ongoing aggression and remains on high alert to defend national airspace and sovereignty.
The escalation follows an Indian missile strike that killed 31 and injured 57 across Pakistan, claimed as retaliation for an April 22 attack that killed 26 Indian tourists.
In an effort to ease tensions, Pakistan NSA Lt Gen Asim Malik (also DG ISI) and Indian NSA Ajit Doval have established contact. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the communication but gave no further details. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also serving as NSA, reportedly spoke with both sides in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis.
