ISLAMABAD, May 08 (Alliance News): Pakistan’s armed forces have intercepted and neutralised more than two dozen Indian drones, including advanced Harop loitering munitions, that crossed into Pakistani territory since last night, the military confirmed on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the drones were shot down at various locations, including Karachi and Lahore, indicating a deep and deliberate aerial intrusion by India.
He presented images of the downed drones’ debris during the briefing, emphasizing that the armed forces remain on high alert and are actively monitoring and responding to evolving threats.
The Harop drone, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), functions as a hybrid between a UAV and a missile. It can loiter over battlefields for extended periods and strike targets on command, particularly targeting air defence systems and high-value assets.
The drone can operate autonomously or under manual control, with the capability to abort missions and return to base. It is launched from land-based canisters or air platforms, offering strategic flexibility.
The Harop has previously seen deployment in the 2016 and 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts by Azerbaijan, reportedly inflicting casualties and destroying enemy positions. It has also allegedly been used in Syria, with reports of successful strikes on air defence infrastructure. Some defence analysts suggest Turkiye was among its early users.
Lt Gen Chaudhry warned that these aggressive drone incursions pose a grave security risk and reflect India’s increasing military provocations. He reiterated that Pakistan will not tolerate such violations and remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty.
