Rawalpindi, May 8, 2025: Pakistan has shot down 25 drones emanating from India in the last two days, says the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Sharing the update with the media, the ISPR said India continued its belligerence under false impression of Pakistan’s weakness.
He said Pakistan’s armed forces had proved equal to the task and shot down Indian drones within no time. Earlier, there were reports that loud sounds of heavy gunfire and explosions were heard in the areas of Walton, Burki Road, and Defence in Lahore. Security forces blared sirens which caused panic in the area, prompting residents to rush out of their homes.
According to security officials, rescue firefighting vehicles reached the scene.
The unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted and neutralised in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Karachi, Chor, Miano, and Attock. A 13th drone managed to partially strike a military installation near Lahore, causing minor equipment damage.
The attack also resulted in casualties. “Four Pakistan Army personnel were injured in the Lahore strike, and one civilian was martyred in Miano, Sindh,” the spokesperson added.
Terming the drone attacks part of a continuing pattern of Indian aggression, Lt Gen Chaudhry affirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces remain on high alert to safeguard national airspace and territorial sovereignty.
He further revealed that five Indian aircraft had recently been destroyed by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), resulting in significant Indian casualties along the Line of Control (LoC). “India seems to have lost strategic clarity and is following a perilous path that endangers not only regional peace but global security as well,” he remarked.
The recent drone activity comes on the heels of a missile strike by India that killed 31 people and injured 57 across Pakistan. New Delhi had described the missile launch as retaliation for a deadly April 22 attack that claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists.
Backchannel diplomacy in motion
Amid the heightened military tensions, National Security Advisers (NSAs) of Pakistan and India have re-established contact. Pakistan’s NSA, Lt General Asim Malik—who also serves as the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)—spoke with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, in what officials describe as part of an effort to de-escalate the situation.
“Yes, Pakistan and Indian National Security Advisers are in touch,” confirmed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in a televised interview, though he declined to elaborate on the content or scope of their discussions.
According to diplomatic sources, the dialogue between NSAs was initiated following intense behind-the-scenes efforts by international and regional stakeholders. U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio also engaged both Pakistani and Indian officials shortly after the missile exchanges.
Officials in Islamabad stressed the importance of such communication channels during crises, warning that the current trajectory could lead to further regional instability unless immediate diplomatic measures are taken.
