Pakistan did not close its airspace on Thursday and allowed civilian aircraft to operate, while it carried out a sneak attack using Turkish-made drones on Indian cities, the government revealed in a briefing on Friday.
According to the government, Pakistan used the civilian aircraft flying in its airspace as shields while launching a swarm of 300-400 drones towards civilian buildings, military installations, and religious structures in northern India. This tactic of using civilian aircraft as cover for military operations is highly condemned by international norms and poses a significant threat to civilian safety.
Despite the ongoing aggression from Pakistan, some civilian flights were still spotted in Pakistani airspace on Friday evening, while the Indian side showed no flights. This indicates a blatant disregard for safety and security protocols by the Pakistani authorities.
Fortunately, India’s air defense network was able to successfully intercept and neutralize the incoming drones, preventing any major damage. However, there were reports of heavy shelling by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch region, resulting in the tragic deaths of two students from a convent school whose house was hit by the shelling.
“The targeting of temples, gurdwaras, convents is a new low by Pakistan,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned the indiscriminate attacks on civilian and religious sites. The use of Turkish-made Asisguard Songar armed drones by Pakistan further escalates tensions in the region, as India’s air defense network had to scramble to jam and shoot down these hostile drones to protect its citizens.
In light of these recent events, it is imperative for both countries to engage in diplomatic dialogue and adhere to international laws and agreements to prevent further escalation of tensions. The safety and security of civilians should always be a top priority, and any act of aggression must be met with swift and decisive action to maintain peace and stability in the region.
