'Pakistan Unsuccessfully Targeted 36 Locations Using 300-400 Drones': MEA

Along the IB and LoC, Pakistan used 300-400 drones in an attempt to infiltrate 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek.

After the Indian Army successfully thwarted drone strikes and other munitions by Pakistan at multiple locations in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan, the Ministry of External Affairs said that "the Indian Armed Forces responded proportionately, adequately, and responsibly."

(Image: Screenshot/MEA)

After the Indian Army successfully thwarted drone strikes and other munitions by Pakistan at multiple locations in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan, the Ministry of External Affairs said that "the Indian Armed Forces responded proportionately, adequately, and responsibly."

During a special press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, "On the intervening night of 8-9 May, 2025, "Pakistan military carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace along the entire western border with an intent to target military infrastructure. Pakistan military also resorted to firing of heavy calibre weapons along the Line of Control (LoC)."

Wing Commander Singh told the media that along the International Border (IB) and LoC, Pakistan used 300-400 drones in an attempt to infiltrate 36 locations from Leh (Ladakh) to Sir Creek.

"However, Indian Armed Forces brought down a number of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of these large-scale aerial intrusions was to test the AD systems and gather intelligence," she added.

They said that while forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken, preliminary reports suggest them to be Turkiye-made Asisguard SONGAR drones.

"Later in the night, an armed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) of Pakistan attempted to target Bhatinda military station which was detected and neutralized," Wing Commander Singh said.

In response to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at four Air Defense (AD) sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar.

'Pakistan Using Civil Airliners as Sheild'

Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling across the LoC using heavy calibre artillery guns and armed drones at Tangdhar, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor and Udhampur in J&K, which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian Army personnel, Wing Commander Singh said.

She added that Pakistan army also suffered major losses in the Indian retaliatory fire. Additionally, Pakistan's irresponsible behaviour again came to fore. Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7 May at 8.30pm.

"Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defense response. This is not safe for the unsuspecting civil airliners, including the international flights which were flying near IB between India and Pakistan," Wing Commander Singh said.

The screenshot shows the data of the application Flight Radar-24 during a high air defense alert situation in the Punjab sector.

(Screenshot: Shared by MEA during press conference)

The airspace on the Indian side is absolutely devoid of civil air traffic due to our declared closure.

"However, there are civil airlines flying the air route between Karachi and Lahore. Amongst the other civil aircraft that you can see, we have highlighted an aircraft which is Airbus 320 of Flynas Aviation, which was originated from Dammam at 17:50 hours and landed later at Lahore at 21:10 hours in the night."

The Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, thus ensuring safety of the international civil carrier, the MEA asserted.

'Blatant Attempt by Pakistan to Disown Its Acts of Aggression'

Foreign Secy Misri said that the "provocative and escalatory actions taken by Pakistan last night were targeted at Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to some military targets. Indian armed forces responded proportionately, adequately, and responsibly."

He underlined that the official and blatantly farsical denial of these attacks that Pakistan carried out, by the Pakistani state machinery is yet another example of their duplicity and the new depths, they are plumbing to in their quest for disinformation.

On Pakistan's claims that it did not attack any religious places, Misri recalled the attack on the gurdwara (Gurdwara Singh Sabha) which was targeted in Poonch.

"Instead of owning up to these attacks, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claim that it was the Indian Armed Forces and the Indian Air Force that was targeting cities like Amritsar and trying to put the blame on Pakistan. This is nothing but a blatant attempt by Pakistan to disown its acts of aggression. But it is also true to type in its effort to deceive the world. It will not succeed."

The gurdwara in Poonch was attacked by Pakistan and some local members of the Sikh community, including ragi of the gurdwara lost their lives, Misri said.

'That India Would Strike Its Own Cities is Pakistan's Deranged Fantasy'

"In addition, that we would attack our own cities, is the kind of deranged fantasy that only Pakistan can come up with, as we can see from their history. Perhaps they do it because they are well-versed with it, as their history world show," Misri said, in a strongly-worded statement.

He clarified a disinformation coming from Pakistan about India targeting the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara through a drone attack.

"This is, again, yet another blatant lie and part of Pakistan's disinformation campaign. As we saw in the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan is, again, trying desperately to impart a communal hue to the situation with an intention to create discord."

He asserted that India's steadfast unity is, in itself, a challenge to Pakistan.