India on Friday night repelled fresh drone attacks from Pakistan at 26 locations in the country’s north and west, including Srinagar airport, as it accused Islamabad of using its civilian planes as a “shield” for aerial strikes, endangering civil aviation.
As Pakistan targeted several cities for the third consecutive night—from Baramulla in north Kashmir to Bhuj in Gujarat—the government said Islamabad launched between 300 and 400 Turkish drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek in a failed attempt to target Indian military installations.
“Drones have been sighted at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan,” military officials said. The drone strikes, which included attacks on airports and airbases, were successfully thwarted.
Locations attacked included Baramulla, Srinagar, Bhuj, Awantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.
An armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, severely injuring members of a local family. Drone attacks on Srinagar airport and the Awantipora air base were also thwarted. Blasts were heard in Jammu and parts of south Kashmir.
It was the second consecutive night of sirens and darkness in several border districts. Residents were urged to switch off lights as a precaution. Cross-border shelling continued in Suchetgarh and Ramgarh sectors of Jammu and Samba.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan’s attacks on places of worship and attempts to blame Indian forces, citing a gurdwara attack in Amritsar. He described these as “preposterous” and part of Islamabad’s “deranged fantasy.”
The Border Security Force (BSF) said it foiled an infiltration bid at the Jammu border, killing at least seven terrorists and destroying a Pakistan Rangers post at Dhandhar. Two more people were killed in Pakistani shelling near the LoC, raising the recent death toll to 18.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and military chiefs to review the situation. Earlier, Modi met veterans and former military chiefs for consultations.
Col. Sofiya Qureshi (Army) and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh (IAF) said most Pakistani drones were downed using kinetic and non-kinetic means. They revealed that drones used included Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models.
They noted Pakistan’s use of civilian airliners during its May 7 drone and missile attacks, keeping its civil airspace open and risking civilian lives. Indian officials presented flight data showing civilian aircraft flying near the conflict zones.
Indian defences included Barak-8, S-400 Triumph, Akash missiles, and indigenous anti-drone systems. An armed UAV strike on Bhatinda was also foiled.
India responded with armed drones targeting four Pakistani air defence sites, destroying at least one radar. Pakistan escalated with artillery and drone attacks on Kandhan, Uri, Poonch, Mender, Rajouri, Akur, and Udhampur, causing injuries and losses on both sides.
Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation at airports and borders. A nationwide advisory under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, was issued, empowering the Army Chief to mobilize the Territorial Army for essential services. PTI
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