- Pakistan takes down 25 Israeli-made drones sent by India: ISPR
- Neutralised Indian drones are Pakistan’s ‘war trophy’, says Tarar
- Gilgit-Baltistan govt shuts down 25 schools in districts near LoC
- Indian rupee records steepest fall in over two years
- O level exams cancelled in Lahore due to developing situation: British Council Pakistan
- India says ‘neutralised’ Pakistan’s attempts to engage military targets
- US Consulate General in Lahore directs all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place
- Indian drones targeted 9 locations across Pakistan on Thursday morning
Lahore – Pakistan (Agencies):- Pakistan’s armed forces have taken down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones that have been sent to the country since last night, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said. “The Pakistan armed forces, using their soft-kill (technical) and hard-kill (weaponised) skills fully, have shot down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones sent by India,” the military said. It said India was “panicked by the elimination of its five modern jets, several drones and soldier deaths” caused by Pakistan’s response to its airstrikes on May 6.
The developments follow intense cross-border hostilities, with India targeting civilian areas, resulting in the loss of 31 lives. Pakistan has condemned the attacks, accusing New Delhi of repeated ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and calling the strikes “acts of terrorism.”
During a press conference, DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry outlined the locations where the Indian Harop drones were neutralized, including Lahore, Attock, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Miano, Chhor, and areas near Karachi. Images of downed drone debris were shown, with Pakistani authorities collecting wreckage for further analysis. Despite Pakistan’s defense operations, one civilian was killed and another injured in Miano, Sindh, due to Indian drone activity.
The Pakistan military has also claimed a major victory by shooting down five Indian fighter jets. Indian officials later confirmed that at least three aircraft had “crashed” inside Indian territory.
Harop drones are loitering munitions developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). These drones are designed to hover over a battlefield and strike upon command. They combine the characteristics of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and precision-guided missiles, making them highly effective for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) missions.
India has incorporated Harop drones into its military arsenal, using them for high-precision targeting.
The Harop drone can operate autonomously or be manually controlled. If a target is not engaged, it can return to base instead of self-destructing. It is launched from ground-based canisters, naval platforms, or aircraft, making it highly versatile.
- Neutralised Indian drones are Pakistan’s ‘war trophy’, says Tarar
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar has said the Indian drones shot down by the armed forces are Pakistan’s “war trophy”, which will “be kept in museums”.
“We will show them to our children and tell them that when India failed with its jets, it used drones,” he said in a speech on the floor of the National Assembly.
He added that India also suffered heavy losses on the Line of Control, highlighting that it was a big achievement for Pakistan when it comes to conventional warfare. “You will find very few examples of this in the world.”
“This is what you call a befitting response,” Tarar asserted.
- Gilgit-Baltistan govt shuts down 25 schools in districts near LoC
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has announced the closure of 25 schools located in three districts near the Line of Control.
Speaking to the media, GB Education Minister Ghulam Shahzad Agha said that seven schools in Ghanche, 12 in Astore and six in Kharmang were shut down indefinitely.
He said a committee has been sent to compile a report regarding more schools, and further steps will be taken on the basis of their report.
- Indian rupee records steepest fall in over two years
The Indian rupee has weakened sharply to log its steepest fall in more than two years as the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict hurt the currency alongside the country’s bonds and equities, Reuters reports.
The rupee rose at the start of the session but weakened sharply after India said it had “neutralised” attempts by Pakistan to “engage” several military targets in its northern and western regions.
The rupee closed down 1 per cent at 85.71 against the US dollar, its worst day since February 2023, after hitting a low of 85.7625 during the session. Benchmark Indian equity indexes, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, ended down 0.5pc and 0.6pc, respectively while the yield on India’s benchmark bond rose nearly seven basis points to 6.3983pc.
- O level exams cancelled in Lahore due to developing situation: British Council Pakistan
British Council Pakistan has cancelled GCE, IGCSE, IELTS and University of London exams scheduled for the afternoon session in Lahore across all venues “due to the developing situation”.
“This decision has been made to prioritise the safety and security of candidates,” British Council said in a post on X.
“Please keep following and checking the British Council official pages only for the latest updates.
- India says ‘neutralised’ Pakistan’s attempts to engage military targets
India “neutralised” attempts by Pakistan to “engage” several military targets in its northern and western regions on Wednesday night and early Thursday, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement quoted by AFP.
Indian armed forces also targeted air defence radars and systems at several locations in Pakistan on Thursday, it added.
- US Consulate General in Lahore directs all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place
Due to reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions in and near Lahore, the US Consulate General in Lahore has directed all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place, according to a statement.
“The Consulate has also received initial reports that authorities may be evacuating some areas adjacent to Lahore’s main airport.
“US citizens who find themselves in an area of active conflict should leave if they can do so safely.? If it is not safe to leave, they should shelter-in-place,” the statement said.
- Indian drones targeted 9 locations across Pakistan on Thursday morning
Indian drones targeted nine locations across Pakistan on Thursday morning, escalating military tensions between the two countries. According to reports, the drones entered Pakistani airspace overnight and were intercepted in Lahore, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Chhor, and Karachi.
Pakistan’s air defense systems successfully shot down all 12 drones launched by India, with debris being collected for further analysis. However, the strikes resulted in civilian casualties, including one martyr and five injured, with four of the injured being Pakistan Army personnel in Lahore.
The Indian Ministry of Defense claimed that its forces had targeted Pakistani air defense radars and systems at multiple locations, including Lahore. The strikes were reportedly part of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response following the Pahalgam attack.