- On May 6–7, Pakistan claims it downed five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and destroyed key military posts along the Line of Control.
- India has since launched over 25 Israeli-made Harop drones into Pakistan’s airspace in a shift toward psychological warfare.
- Pakistan Armed Forces have shot down all 25 drones using a mix of electronic and weapons-based defenses.
- Drone debris recovered from multiple regions confirms the use of Israeli-origin technology in India’s latest military escalation.
Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India have reached a dangerous new threshold, as Pakistan comes under a wave of drone attacks allegedly launched by Indian forces. The attacks follow a night of intense cross-border escalation earlier this week, during which Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian fighter jets and inflicted significant battlefield losses.
Today, the skies over Pakistan remain tense as security forces scramble to neutralize waves of suicide drones—reportedly Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions—targeting both military and civilian zones.
The sharp spike in hostilities comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, an Indian military campaign launched along the Line of Control (LoC), which has triggered fierce retaliatory operations from Pakistan.
According to Pakistani military officials, the most serious escalation occurred during the night of May 6 to May 7, when Indian forces allegedly launched an aerial offensive across the LoC. In a swift and coordinated response, Pakistan claims its air defense systems intercepted and downed five Indian fighter aircraft, including three French-built Rafale jets, along with six drones.
Two Indian brigade headquarters were also reportedly targeted and neutralized in retaliatory strikes by Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of over 50 Indian soldiers, according to sources within Pakistan’s defense establishment. India has not yet issued a public statement confirming or denying these losses.
In the hours and days since that confrontation, India has shifted tactics—moving away from direct aerial engagement and resorting instead to the use of loitering drones, commonly known as “suicide drones.” These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are designed to loiter over a target area before self-destructing upon impact.
On May 8, Pakistani air defense units across several regions were placed on high alert, responding to repeated waves of drone incursions. The drones, identified by military experts as Israeli-made Harop systems, are known for their precision targeting capabilities and extended loiter time—up to six hours. Originally developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Harop is equipped with an electro-optical payload and a high-explosive warhead capable of targeting radar installations, communication hubs, or mobile units with pinpoint accuracy.
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Senior military officials confirmed that Pakistan has so far shot down 25 Harop drones, using a combination of “soft kill” techniques (such as electronic jamming and signal disruption) and “hard kill” countermeasures (direct engagement with anti-aircraft weaponry).
Debris from several drones has been recovered in districts near Lahore, Rawalpindi, and areas close to the LoC, providing material evidence of the technology in use. “Our analysis of recovered components confirms the Israeli origin of these drones,” a senior official in Pakistan’s Joint Intelligence Fusion Cell told this correspondent on condition of anonymity. “The markings and internal architecture match known models of the Harop system.”
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India’s increasing reliance on unmanned aerial systems is seen by some analysts as an attempt to reduce exposure to direct military confrontations after the significant losses it reportedly suffered in the airspace over the LoC. According to defense experts, New Delhi may be seeking to pressure Pakistan psychologically while avoiding further manned engagements that could draw international scrutiny or risk broader escalation.
“India’s use of Israeli drones is not new, but the scale and frequency we’re seeing now suggests desperation rather than strategy,” says Kamal Alam, a London-based South Asia defense analyst. “This is likely an attempt to shake Pakistan’s nerves without provoking a full-scale war.”
Pakistan, however, views the drone attacks as an act of aggression and psychological warfare, aimed at creating confusion and panic among the civilian population. “These cowardly drone attacks are a sign of India’s confusion and distress following its failures on the battlefield,” said a statement issued by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The statement emphasized that the country’s armed forces remain fully alert and ready to respond decisively to any further acts of provocation.
While international observers are urging restraint, the lack of direct communication between Islamabad and New Delhi is raising alarm bells in diplomatic circles. The United Nations has not yet issued an official comment, though several Western embassies in both capitals have reportedly urged their citizens to exercise caution.
The drone strikes have not resulted in civilian casualties so far, but damage to private infrastructure in some areas has been reported. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it will be sharing technical evidence of India’s drone deployment with friendly countries and international watchdogs to expose what it calls “reckless adventurism backed by foreign suppliers.”
As both nations continue to fortify their borders and engage in escalating military rhetoric, the situation remains fluid—and deeply concerning. With each passing hour, the threat of wider conflict looms larger.
Whether the current drone attacks are part of a broader strategic campaign or a last-ditch show of strength, one fact remains clear: the crisis between Pakistan and India has entered a new and more volatile phase. The international community would do well to pay attention.