Pakistan neutralizes 25 Israeli-made drones as tensions escalate with India
By Nadine Osman
London, (The Muslim News): Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed today that its armed forces had neutralized 25 Israeli-made Harop drones, which were deployed by India in recent cross-border activity.
The drones were shot down using a combination of electronic countermeasures (soft-kill techniques) and conventional weaponry (hard-kill systems), after being detected over multiple regions in Pakistan, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Karachi, Chor, Miano, and Attock.
The statement also reported that four Pakistani soldiers were injured in a drone attack in Lahore, while one civilian was killed in Miano, Sindh.
The escalation continued with India’s missile strikes on Tuesday, marking a dangerous increase in hostilities. Described by New Delhi as part of “Operation Sindoor,” these strikes targeted nine locations within Pakistan, which India claimed were “terrorist infrastructure.”
The missile strikes, India claimed as “retaliation” for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, citing cross-border links, but Pakistan denied involvement and offered to cooperate in an international investigation.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s military confirmed that the missile strikes, along with cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC), resulted in the deaths of at least 31 civilians and left 57 others injured. Twelve of the fatalities occurred along LoC, the disputed border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar claimed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had downed five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, a MiG-29, and an SU-30. Dar emphasized that, while Pakistani forces had the capability to shoot down more Indian jets, they were instructed to target only those that had dropped payloads into Pakistani territory. India has yet to issue an official statement regarding these claims.
In response to the escalating tensions, security measures in India were tightened further. On Thursday, at least 21 airports across northern and northwestern India, including those in Indian-administered Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, were closed to passenger flights until May 10.
The Airports Authority of India issued a notice to airmen, leading to widespread cancellations of both domestic and international flights.
In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a statement on the developments, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The statement read: “The UK government urges India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward. The UK shares close and unique relationships with both nations, and I have made it clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if tensions escalate further, nobody will emerge victorious. The UK has condemned the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month, and we call for all parties to work urgently to restore regional stability and ensure the protection of civilians.”
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) urged both India and Pakistan to “show restraint and avoid further military escalation”. The MCB expressed concern over the emotional toll the conflict had taken on British Indian and Pakistani communities, acknowledging the profound impact international events can have on diaspora populations. The Council called for a “just and stable resolution” to the Kashmir issue and an international investigation into the Pahalgam attack. The statement further urged: “While the right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, we urge individuals to ensure their expressions of concern do not lead to division or unrest in our communities.”
“We urge both nations to show restraint and pursue peace, not war. Dialogue is the only path to a lasting resolution. Here in the UK, we must unite, upholding our shared values of peace and respect. The MCB urges community leaders to take proactive steps in working with local authorities to safeguard public safety and uphold community harmony. In these tense times, we must all play our part,” said MCB Deputy Secretary General, Maswood Ahmed.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), in a statement issued on May 7, condemned India’s military aggression against Pakistan, particularly the missile strikes on May 6. Dr. Rateb Jneid, AFIC President, linked the attacks to a broader pattern of rising hostility towards Muslim populations globally, stating, “This is not just a bilateral conflict. This is part of a global trend of unchecked aggression against Muslim peoples—from Palestine to Kashmir, from Gaza to Pakistan.”
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in New York has expressed “deep concern over the deteriorating security environment in South Asia,” citing India’s “unfounded allegations against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan” as a key factor inflaming tensions in the region.
In a joint statement on Monday, the 57-member OIC said such accusations risk exacerbating an already volatile situation, and reiterated its “principled position against, and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomsoever and wherever.”
The group also rejected “all attempts to associate any country, race, religion, culture or nationality with terrorism.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry condemned India’s missile attacks as an “unprovoked and blatant act of war” and a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, further escalating the conflict. The Ministry also claimed that the missile strikes had targeted civilian areas.
Additional reporting by AA.
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