The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday said the Pakistan armed forces have successfully shot down 25 Israeli-manufactured Harop drones deployed by India against various cities across the country.
In a statement, the military’s media wing said troops destroyed the drones using both soft-kill (technical) and hard-kill (weapons) measures. It said India had resorted to these drone attacks in a state of panic following the destruction of five modern aircraft, drones, multiple posts, and casualties in its ranks during its cowardly assault on Pakistan from May 6–7.
“The use of Israeli-made Harop drones is a clear sign of India’s frustration,” read the statement, adding authorities are recovering debris from these drones from various regions in Pakistan.
The ISPR claimed India had also suffered significant losses along the Line of Control, adding the neighboring state continues to face damage due to Pakistan’s robust defense. “Pakistan’s armed forces are giving a crushing response to the enemy and are foiling all its nefarious designs,” it said.
Security experts claim India has resorted to using drones in Pakistan to avoid utilizing its fighter jets after the Pakistan Air Force downed several aircraft a day earlier. The low-flying drones are able to enter deep into Pakistani territory, as they fly below radar and must be visually located before they can be targeted.
Earlier, addressing a press conference, ISPR Director-General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had said the drones had started entering Pakistan early this morning and the incursions were ongoing. He had vowed that troops were combating the incursions successfully. He also shared that four Pakistan Army soldiers were injured due to a drone attack in Lahore.
Thus far, Harop drones have been downed in Lahore, Attock, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Miano, Chor and near Karachi.
In a statement, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had lauded the Pakistan Army for timely shooting down Indian drones at 12 locations. She has Instructed police, administration, and all departments concerned to remain on high alert at all times and has prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the drone attacks.