In a surprising development, Pakistan's airspace remained open to civilian aircraft, even as the government launched a covert operation using Turkish-made drones against Indian cities on Thursday, according to a briefing by Indian authorities.
The Indian government accused Pakistan of exploiting unsuspecting civilian aircraft flying through its airspace as shields to cover its drone activities. The operation involved the deployment of 300-400 Pakistani drones targeting civilian buildings, military installations, and religious sites across northern India, as stated in the briefing.
Despite the ongoing tension, flight-tracking websites revealed the presence of civilian flights in Pakistani airspace on Friday evening, in stark contrast to the grounded status within Indian airspace.
India's air defense network played a crucial role in intercepting and neutralizing the drone threats, effectively jamming and shooting down several of the attacking drones.
Meanwhile, heavy shelling by Pakistan in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir resulted in the tragic deaths of two students whose home was hit.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan's actions during a press briefing in Delhi, highlighting the disturbing trend of targeting temples, gurdwaras, and convents.
Pakistan reportedly launched multiple Asisguard Songar armed drones, which were effectively countered by India's defensive measures. The incident underscores escalating tensions in the region, with diplomatic and military ramifications expected in the coming days.
During the press briefing of Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on #OperationSindoor, she said, "On the intervening night of 8th- 9th May 2025, #Pakistan military carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace along the entire Western Border with an intent to target military infrastructure. Pakistan military also resorted to firing of heavy caliber weapons along the LoC.
Along the international border and LoC, drone intrusions were attempted from Leh to Sir CreeK at 36 locations with approximately 300 to 400 drones. Indian armed forces brought down these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of these large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and gather intelligence."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📡LIVE Now📡<br><br>Press Briefing by <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationSindoor?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationSindoor</a><br><br>Watch on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIB</a>'s đź“ş<br>➡️Facebook: <a href="https://t.co/ykJcYlNrjj">https://t.co/ykJcYlNrjj</a><br>➡️YouTube: <a href="https://t.co/RNDiVfoDIw">https://t.co/RNDiVfoDIw</a><a href="https://t.co/Qtld62D3OT">https://t.co/Qtld62D3OT</a></p>— PIB India (@PIB_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1920811994690842988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
What we know so far:
Coordinated Airspace Violations by Pakistan:
On the night of 8–9 May 2025, Pakistan carried out widespread airspace violations along India’s entire western border, aiming to strike military assets.
Heavy Shelling at LoC:
The Pakistani military simultaneously resorted to firing heavy-caliber weapons along the Line of Control, escalating military aggression.
Unprecedented Drone Intrusions:
A staggering 300–400 drones infiltrated 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek in one of the largest aerial intrusion attempts in recent history.
India’s Tactical Response:
Indian armed forces neutralised the drone swarms using both kinetic (physical interception) and non-kinetic (electronic warfare) methods with high precision.
Likely Intent: Reconnaissance & Air Defence Testing:
The operation appeared designed to test India’s air defence systems and collect intelligence on military preparedness.
Pakistan’s Civil Airspace Still Open:
Despite launching unprovoked missile and drone attacks, Pakistan did not shut its civilian airspace — a reckless act during an active conflict scenario.
Using Civilian Flights as Shields:
Pakistan deliberately allowed civil airliners, including international flights, to continue flying near the Indo-Pak border, endangering innocent lives by possibly using them as cover against Indian retaliation.
India’s Responsible Airspace Management:
Unlike Pakistan, India promptly cleared its airspace over Punjab during the high alert, avoiding any civilian risk — a testament to disciplined military protocol.
