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International Desk, May 9, 2025 :Pakistan’s military has claimed to have shot down 77 Indian drones, allegedly manufactured by Israel, which were reportedly deployed to carry out attacks across various locations in Pakistan. According to Pakistani news outlet Express Tribune, these Harop drones were neutralized in multiple regions between Tuesday and Friday.
Pakistan’s Federal Information Minister, Atta Tarar, confirmed the development on Friday, May 9, stating that 29 drones were downed from Tuesday to Thursday evening, with an additional 48 destroyed throughout Friday.
The report also highlighted intensified clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, where Pakistani sources allege that Indian shelling killed five civilians. Pakistan accuses India of unprovoked aggression, claiming its forces are responding with full strength to counter these actions.
Tensions escalated after India allegedly launched large-scale missile attacks on Azad Kashmir and other parts of Pakistan late Tuesday night. Pakistan claims it retaliated by deploying fighter jets, resulting in the destruction of five Indian warplanes. Indian media, however, reported that Pakistan fired missiles targeting several Indian cities, a claim Pakistan has vehemently denied.
A senior Pakistani official, speaking to CNN, emphasized that Islamabad is open to diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation but warned of retaliatory strikes if diplomacy fails. The official dismissed India’s allegations of Pakistani missile attacks on 15 Indian cities as “fabricated” and urged the United States to analyze satellite imagery to verify Pakistan’s stance.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), called India’s claims “laughable” and “fictional,” asserting that Pakistan has not launched any missiles or drones into Indian territory.
Meanwhile, an Indian military official reported hearing explosions in Jammu, part of India-administered Jammu and Kashmir, while police in Punjab’s Pathankot confirmed they were investigating similar incidents, with air defense systems active in the area.
Amid the rising conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other nations are actively working to mediate and reduce tensions. Pakistan has called on the U.S. to share satellite imagery to confirm its non-involvement in attacks on India, as diplomatic efforts continue to avert further escalation.
AI/MR
