MEA Reveals Pakistan's Use of Turkish Drones in Attack

In a major disclosure, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Pakistan had utilised Turkish-made drones in a surprise attack on Indian military establishments late Thursday night. The strike, which targeted multiple locations across India, prompted a careful but forceful response from the Indian Air Force, which successfully protected its civil airspace while maintaining restraint.

At a press briefing in New Delhi, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh outlined the scale of the attack, stating that Pakistan launched between 300 and 400 drones aimed at 36 key sites in India. 

“The Indian Armed Forces responded promptly, downing the majority of the drones through both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures,” Col Qureshi said. 

The officials said that the large-scale intrusion appeared to be an effort by Pakistan to test India’s air defence capabilities and collect intelligence. Early forensic analysis of the drone wreckage pointed to the Turkish-made Asisguard Songar model.

The situation escalated when Pakistan deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to target the Bhatinda military station. However, the UAV was quickly detected and neutralised by Indian forces. In retaliation, India launched armed drone strikes on four Pakistani air defence locations, one of which reportedly destroyed a key Pakistani air defence radar (ADR).

In addition to the drone attacks, Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), using heavy calibre artillery and drones in areas such as Tangdhar, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor, and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. These attacks resulted in casualties and injuries among Indian Army personnel, though Pakistani forces suffered considerable losses in India’s counter-fire.

The MEA also highlighted Pakistan’s use of its civil airspace to shield its military operations, a tactic that complicated the situation. Despite this, Indian authorities commended the Indian Air Force for its restraint in ensuring that civilian airliners were not affected by the ongoing conflict.

These hostilities followed India’s airstrikes against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) the previous day. India’s air defence systems performed effectively, intercepting nearly all the drones aimed at critical infrastructure.

In retaliation, India targeted several key locations in Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with drone strikes. Notably, Indian forces shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet over Rajasthan, underscoring the country’s readiness to defend its sovereignty in the face of unprovoked aggression.

The MEA confirmed that Pakistan had sustained heavy losses in its missile and drone attacks on Indian cities and military sites. 

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri strongly rejected Pakistan's claims that it had not targeted civilian infrastructure, specifically religious sites. Misri called these claims "farcical," stressing that the drones had been aimed at both military and civilian targets.

He also addressed the attack on a Gurudwara in Poonch, which led to the deaths of several members of the Sikh community. Misri denounced Pakistan’s attempt to deny responsibility for the attack, calling it “outrageous” and part of a broader effort to avoid accountability.

Misri further condemned the disinformation campaign being run by Pakistan, which falsely claimed that India had launched a drone strike on the Gurudwara. “This is yet another blatant lie and part of Pakistan’s disinformation campaign,” Misri said. 

“Pakistan is trying to create communal discord by imparting a false narrative, but India’s unity stands in contrast to Pakistan’s attempts.”

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