Islamabad, May 8, 2025: Pakistan’s air defense system shot down an Indian drone early Thursday in Lahore, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
The incident occurred shortly after India evacuated thousands of people from villages near the highly militarized frontier in Kashmir, a disputed region where hostilities have been mounting.
Pakistani officials confirmed that the drone was downed near Walton Airport, located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) from the India-Pakistan border.
This is the latest in a series of drone attacks as the region remains on edge.
The drone attack follows the deadly missile strikes carried out by India, which killed 31 civilians, including women and children, just a day prior.
Pakistani authorities have condemned the strikes and reiterated their position that they had no involvement in the attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir that led to India accusing Pakistan of backing militants.
In addition to the drone shot down in Lahore, two more drones were reportedly downed in other cities across Punjab province.
Although it remains unclear whether the drones were armed, local security officials stated that the air defense system successfully neutralized the threat posed by the small Indian drones.
Read More: Pakistan shoots down 12 Indian drones across the country: ISPR
This follows a pattern of escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with each side taking defensive measures along the highly disputed Kashmir region.
Pakistan’s swift response to the drone attack has drawn attention to its growing focus on strengthening its air defense systems.
Meanwhile, India’s actions, such as missile strikes and evacuations, suggest the situation remains highly volatile, with both sides showing no sign of de-escalation.
As tensions in the region continue to rise, the international community remains watchful, concerned about the potential for further conflicts between the two countries.
