India alleges Pakistan used Turkish drones in massive cross-border attack targeting 36 sites

What Has India Accused Pakistan of Doing With Turkish-Made Drones?

India has officially alleged that the Pakistani military deployed between 300 and 400 Turkish-manufactured drones in a coordinated cross-border assault targeting 36 military and strategic installations across Indian territory. According to statements from Indian defence and foreign ministry officials, the drones were identified as Asisguard Songar unmanned aerial vehicles—armed rotary-wing drones developed in Turkey and exported to various international clients, including Pakistan.

The aerial incursion occurred during the night of May 7 to 8, marking what Indian officials have called one of the most audacious and dangerous attempts by Pakistan to violate Indian airspace in recent years. Speaking at a press briefing, Colonel Sophia Qureshi of the Ministry of External Affairs asserted that the drones were part of a deliberate military operation intended to test India’s air defense systems, gather battlefield intelligence, and provoke a kinetic response.

The drones, according to preliminary forensic analysis of the wreckage, bore signatures consistent with the Songar model, including modular munitions payloads and encrypted communication hardware, reinforcing India’s claim of Turkish origin.

How Did India Respond to the Drone Incursion?

India’s military responded swiftly using a layered defense mechanism combining advanced missile systems, signal jamming tools, and kinetic interception capabilities. Among the deployed systems were the Russian-made S-400 Triumf batteries, which played a central role in identifying and neutralising multiple drones before they could penetrate deeper into Indian airspace.

Colonel Qureshi stated that the Indian Armed Forces used both “kinetic and non-kinetic technologies” to intercept the UAVs. The non-kinetic methods are believed to include electronic warfare tools such as radio frequency jammers and drone spoofing devices. The swift defensive measures ensured that no major military damage was incurred, despite the unprecedented number of simultaneous drone intrusions.

One of the most targeted zones was Bathinda in Punjab, where a key Indian Army post was under threat. However, Indian security forces pre-emptively neutralised the incoming UAVs, thwarting the attempt.

Why Does India Claim Pakistan Used Civilian Flights to Shield the Attack?

India has accused Pakistan of violating international aviation norms by launching the drone attacks while keeping its civilian airspace fully operational. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, during a subsequent military briefing, stated that Pakistan intentionally used ongoing commercial flight operations as a shield to deter Indian retaliation.

She emphasised that Pakistan launched the UAV barrage at approximately 8:30 PM on May 7—while its commercial airliners were still airborne over domestic and regional routes. This, she said, placed the Indian Air Force in a difficult position, requiring restraint to avoid any risk to uninvolved civilian aircraft.

According to Singh, this tactic amounted to a deliberate misuse of civil aviation to mask offensive military action. “Pakistan’s decision not to close its civilian airspace reveals a calculated move to complicate India’s defensive response and draw diplomatic ambiguity into its hostile actions,” she stated.

What Immediate Measures Did India Take Domestically?

In light of the rapidly escalating situation, the Indian government undertook several emergency actions to safeguard civilian and strategic assets. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the temporary suspension of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, a critical religious corridor used by Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the gurdwara in Pakistan. He cited “active military hostilities and aerial threats” as the reason for halting operations.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation simultaneously cancelled over 100 commercial flights to and from Delhi, citing “aerial security protocol activations.” Delhi authorities also launched a civilian protection protocol involving the deployment of emergency sirens throughout the capital. Minister of Public Works Parvesh Verma stated that more than 50 sirens were being installed at key points across New Delhi within the day to enable rapid public alerts in case of further aerial threats.

How Does This Incident Reflect Broader Tactical Shifts?

Indian defence analysts see this mass deployment of Turkish drones by Pakistan as a deliberate escalation and a significant evolution in hybrid warfare strategies employed by Islamabad. The use of Turkish-origin Asisguard Songar drones, which are relatively inexpensive and can be deployed in swarms, indicates a move toward saturation tactics intended to overload traditional radar-based defense systems.

This shift comes in the wake of recent procurements by Pakistan aimed at diversifying its drone arsenal beyond Chinese-origin systems. The Songar drones, while not equipped with long-range strike capabilities, can be launched en masse to carry out reconnaissance, target acquisition, and limited munition delivery—all without risking pilot casualties or major infrastructure.

For India, the incident reinforces the urgent need to accelerate investments in counter-drone technologies and expand its aerial surveillance capabilities. Defence observers have also suggested the incorporation of AI-driven threat assessment systems as part of the country’s next-generation border management strategy.

Has the International Community Reacted?

While no formal condemnation has yet been issued by global powers, the situation has drawn attention from key diplomatic actors. The United States has thus far refrained from involvement, with Vice President JD Vance reportedly stating that the current exchange was “a bilateral matter to be resolved regionally.” However, India is expected to raise the matter in upcoming sessions of the United Nations Security Council, citing violations of international aviation norms and misuse of civilian corridors for hostile military activity.

Strategic commentators have warned that the use of civilian flights as shields could set a dangerous precedent for aerial conflicts globally, and may prompt calls for new international guidelines governing drone warfare and airspace management during hostilities.

What Are the Next Steps for India?

As of now, India remains on high alert. Defence authorities have moved additional air defence assets to forward positions along the western border and enhanced surveillance of Pakistani launch zones. The Indian Air Force continues to monitor airspace for any residual threats, while central intelligence agencies are reportedly examining satellite data for evidence of ground-based drone deployment activity across the border.

The Defence Ministry has also hinted at potential retaliatory actions if further provocations occur. While India has publicly maintained a defensive posture, security experts believe targeted countermeasures—possibly including cyber operations or selective airstrikes—remain on the table if Pakistan continues such provocations.

Strategic Crossroads in South Asian Airspace

India’s accusation that Pakistan deployed Turkish drones in a coordinated multi-target offensive highlights a pivotal moment in the region’s evolving security landscape. The strategic use of UAVs, shielded by active civilian flights, represents a complex fusion of psychological, technological, and legal challenges that traditional warfare frameworks are ill-prepared to address.

For India, the incident underscores the urgency of bolstering drone interception capabilities, reevaluating rules of engagement in hybrid aerial conflict, and strengthening its position in global diplomatic forums to deter further misuse of civil aviation corridors for military gain.

As regional stability hangs in the balance, both countries face critical choices—whether to escalate into open confrontation or re-engage through backchannel diplomacy. The coming days may prove decisive in shaping the trajectory of South Asia’s most volatile flashpoint.