ISLAMABAD/LAHORE – In a dramatic escalation of border hostilities, the Pakistan Army successfully intercepted and destroyed 30 Israeli-made Harop kamikaze drones launched by India on Thursday, targeting civilian and military sites across multiple cities.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the drones were neutralized using advanced countermeasures, both technical and weapons-based, in areas including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujrat, Attock, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana, Ghotki, and Karachi’s Malir district. The drones, capable of flying at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet, were reportedly Heron MK2s with British-made engines.
Heavy retaliatory losses were inflicted on Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC), where Pakistani troops responded to unprovoked firing in the Pando sector, destroying a battalion headquarters in Nanga Tak. Loud explosions were reported as Pakistan’s air defense systems engaged the intrusions.
Tragically, two civilians were martyred and several others injured as falling drone debris hit urban and rural areas in Rawalpindi, Attock, Lahore, Ghotki, and Sheikhupura. In Rawalpindi, debris struck a shop near Stadium Road, injuring and ultimately killing a contractor. In Ghotki, one villager was martyred, while others sustained injuries in scattered locations.
Authorities urged citizens to remain indoors and avoid spreading misinformation. The ISPR labeled India’s actions as “cowardly” and reflective of “strategic disarray” following Pakistan’s robust response to Indian aggression earlier this week, which reportedly downed five Indian aircraft, including advanced Rafale jets.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of a “firm and proportionate” response, stating Pakistan’s military remains on high alert. Analysts suggest India’s deployment of Harop drones—equipped with loitering and precision-strike capabilities—was prompted by significant aerial losses and rising domestic pressure.
The ongoing conflict marks a critical moment in regional power dynamics, with Pakistan’s J-10C jets, sourced from China, reportedly outperforming India’s Western-supplied Rafales in recent engagements.
