In a tactical shift that mirrors methods seen in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Pakistan launched over 500 low-cost, crude drones into Indian airspace on the night of May 8–9, targeting 36 military and strategic locations across a vast swath — from Leh in Ladakh to Sir Creek in Gujarat. While most of the drones were unarmed and easily intercepted, experts believe the intent behind the attack was far from rudimentary.
Military analysts suggest the offensive was not aimed at causing direct damage but was a multi-pronged strategy to exhaust Indian air defence resources, probe vulnerabilities, and potentially map radar coverage and response times.
“This was not just an airspace intrusion — it was a calculated move to stress-test our defences, force resource expenditure, and gather data,” a senior military official told BharatShakti.
The strategy bears a striking resemblance to Russia’s use of Iranian-made Shahed drones in Ukraine, which are often launched in waves to overwhelm Western-supplied air defence systems. While usually low in precision, these attacks come with a high cost-benefit ratio — draining expensive interceptor missiles and causing logistical fatigue.
Pakistan appears to have adapted this model, deploying Chinese commercial-grade or locally modified drones — including Turkish-made Asisguard Songar UAVs — in salvos across key Indian military hubs such as Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, Bhatinda, Adampur, and even bases as far south as Bhuj and Sir Creek.
The swarm included small quadcopters, larger UAVs, and mother drones guiding clusters in coordinated waves. Many of the drones carried no explosives — only stone pellets or empty casings, according to forensic examinations — suggesting that the incursion was likely intended for reconnaissance and electronic probing rather than direct strikes.
“Pakistan likely wanted us to activate and expose our air defence architecture — radar positions, engagement zones, and response tactics,” a defence source explained. “It’s a tactic to gather critical data for future escalations.”
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that the drones were accompanied by intense shelling at 20 locations along the LoC. “This was a coordinated hybrid offensive. Our forces responded with both kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities to neutralize the threat,” she said in a press briefing on Friday.
India deployed a mix of systems — L-70 and ZU-23mm guns, Schilka platforms, DRDO’s electronic warfare suites, and jamming technologies — to shoot down or disable more than 70 drones (20 ‘soft’ and 50 ‘hard’ kills). A number of others returned to Pakistani territory after evading interception.
Low Cost, High Disruption
The drones, described as “off-the-shelf” or “garage-modified,” cost a fraction of the missiles or bullets used to bring them down. One official described the scenario bluntly: “They’re using Rs 10,000 drones to trigger Rs 2 crore responses. It’s economic warfare.”
Eyewitnesses across the western corridor reported flashes of light, sonic bursts, and low-flying objects, leading to panic in civilian areas. In urban centres like Ludhiana and Jalandhar, air raid sirens were briefly activated, and in Jammu, they were under blackout for hours.
While most drones were neutralized before reaching sensitive zones, some caused minor infrastructure damage, and at least one military installation was targeted near Awantipora, the source revealed.
Civilian Toll and Continued Escalation
Amid the drone incursion, Pakistan also launched artillery and mortar attacks along the LoC. The bombardment killed two Indian civilians and injured three, bringing the death toll to 18 since the escalation began earlier this week.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the loss of two schoolchildren in Machil, where a shell landed near a primary school, and damage to a Christian convent in the region. “These are not just military provocations. These are attacks on civilian lives and places of worship,” he said.
India’s Response and Global Outreach
In retaliation, Indian armed drones struck multiple Pakistani military positions, reportedly disabling an air defence radar in Lahore. Meanwhile, India lodged strong diplomatic protests and suspended operations at the Kartarpur Corridor, citing security concerns.
Indian officials also shared flight tracking data indicating that Pakistan had kept its civilian airspace open during the operation — a move interpreted as an attempt to use civilian aircraft as cover during hostile operations.
“This is a dangerous and cynical ploy. Pakistan not only violated Indian airspace but also international aviation norms,” said Col Qureshi.
A New Chapter in Hybrid Conflict
This drone offensive signals a potential doctrinal shift in Pakistan’s approach: from conventional cross-border skirmishes to technologically enabled, low-cost, asymmetric warfare aimed at surveillance, disruption, and strategic messaging.
India’s defence establishment has taken note. “This is a wake-up call,” said one official. “The battlefield is evolving, and so must our countermeasures — in speed, scale, and strategy.”
Ravi Shankar and Huma Siddiqui
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
