ISLAMABAD: According to Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV News, the country’s armed forces have successfully downed a total of 77 Indian drones since May 8, amid heightened military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Quoting security sources, the report noted that by the evening of May 8, Pakistan had intercepted and destroyed 29 Indian drones.
An additional 48 drones were reportedly neutralized in the hours between late Wednesday night and Thursday, bringing the total to 77.
The surge in drone activity follows a dramatic escalation in hostilities earlier in the week, with both nations accusing each other of cross-border aggression.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)—the media arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces—confirmed that Indian-origin drones, specifically Israeli-made Harop drones, were being deployed against Pakistani targets.
According to ISPR, the armed forces utilized both soft-kill (electronic countermeasures) and hard-kill (direct weapon strikes) capabilities to neutralize the incoming drones.
“Pakistan’s defense systems are actively engaged in countering these unmanned threats using a combination of technical disruption tools and kinetic force,” the statement said.
The military spokesperson described India’s drone usage as part of a desperate escalation following a pre-dawn strike on May 6–7, which reportedly caused substantial damage to Pakistan’s defense infrastructure.
According to the ISPR, the initial Indian attack led to the loss of five advanced aircraft, the destruction of multiple military outposts, and resulted in several casualties on the Pakistani side.
“India’s actions, driven by panic and humiliation after its initial offensive, now include the use of kamikaze drones such as the Harop in an attempt to inflict further damage,” the ISPR said.
The Harop drone, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is known for its loitering munition capabilities—allowing it to hover over a target area and strike when the target is identified.
Its use in South Asia marks a significant tactical shift, indicating a possible evolution in India’s aerial warfare strategy.
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While Indian authorities have not yet issued an official response to these claims, the incident adds to mounting regional tensions and raises concerns over the growing reliance on unmanned systems in modern warfare.
Pakistan’s military establishment has reiterated its readiness to respond to any further provocations, stating that “all aggressive actions will be met with proportionate and decisive force.”
This latest development follows a week of intensified military activity along the Line of Control (LoC) and beyond, raising alarm across international diplomatic and defense circles.
Also Read: Pakistan Downs Israeli Harop Drones, India Loses $17.5M
The rapid escalation, especially the increasing use of drones and precision-guided munitions, is being closely monitored by global security analysts, given the stakes involved in any conflict between two nuclear-capable states.
