Pakistan Downs 25 Israeli-Made Harop Drones Amid Escalating Tensions with India

ISLAMABAD, May 9, 2025 — In a powerful defensive move, Pakistan's armed forces have successfully neutralized 25 Israeli-made Harop drones launched by India in a series of cross-border provocations that began late Wednesday night. This aggressive use of advanced military-grade drone technology marks a significant escalation in the already volatile relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed Thursday that the drones were intercepted using a combination of "soft-kill" electronic countermeasures and "hard-kill" direct strikes. The drones, manufactured by Israel and known for their loitering capabilities and radar-seeking warheads, were aimed at sensitive locations within Pakistan’s sovereign territory — including cities in Punjab and Sindh.

The recent wave of drone attacks follows a night of deadly Indian missile strikes on civilian infrastructure in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, which killed 31 innocent civilians and injured 57 others. The strikes targeted six locations including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Ahmedpur East, Muridke, Sialkot, and Shakkargarh, with many civilian homes and places of worship damaged or destroyed.

In a strongly worded press conference, ISPR DG Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry called out India’s behavior as “cowardly and panicked,” stating:

“These drone attacks reflect a nervous India trying to regain control after suffering heavy setbacks at the hands of Pakistan’s defense forces — including the downing of five of its fighter jets and destruction of multiple posts.”

Among the 25 drones neutralized, 12 were intercepted across key Pakistani cities: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Attock, Bahawalpur, Sukkur, Umerkot (Chhor), and Karachi. One drone, however, managed to partially hit a military target near Lahore, injuring four Pakistani soldiers and damaging some equipment. One civilian was martyred and another injured in Miano during the strikes.

India's Ministry of Defence has admitted to using Israeli-made Harpy and Harop drones to target Pakistan’s air defense systems, in what they claim were “preemptive” strikes. But Pakistan’s military has rejected those claims, labelling the strikes as acts of terrorism.

International observers have voiced concerns over India’s increasing reliance on imported weaponry for offensive operations, especially loitering munitions designed to hover over targets before exploding — often used in stealth attacks.

Lt Gen Chaudhry warned that India’s "reckless adventurism" could ignite a regional crisis, stating:

“India is choosing escalation over dialogue. The international community must take notice before this spirals beyond control.”

Pakistan has vowed to protect its sovereignty and citizens at all costs. The DG ISPR concluded:

“Our armed forces remain on high alert. We are committed to a robust, timely, and proportionate response to every act of aggression.”