Pakistan Claims Indian Surveillance Drone Shot Down Over Lahore Airspace
In a significant development that could escalate regional tensions, Pakistani military officials announced on Thursday that they have successfully shot down an Indian surveillance drone that allegedly violated Pakistani airspace in the city of Lahore.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the public relations wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, the drone was intercepted and neutralized after it crossed the border and entered Pakistani territory. The ISPR stated that the drone was engaged promptly by the country’s air defense systems near the eastern city of Lahore, which lies close to the India-Pakistan border.
“This hostile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down for violating Pakistani airspace,” an official military statement said. “The incident represents a serious breach of international aviation laws and threatens regional stability.”
The Pakistani military has released visuals of the wreckage, which they claim serves as evidence of the drone’s origin and purpose. The ISPR alleged that the drone was equipped with high-resolution surveillance cameras, suggesting its mission was reconnaissance-based.
The Indian government has not yet issued an official response regarding the incident. However, similar incidents in the past have prompted denials or silence from New Delhi, which often regards such matters as part of broader intelligence operations along the contentious Line of Control (LoC) and international border.
Defense analysts in the region warn that drone incursions have the potential to further aggravate already tense relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. “Any violation of airspace, particularly in such politically sensitive areas, carries risks of miscalculation,” said Brigadier (Retd.) Saad Khan, a Lahore-based military analyst. “The fact that this happened over Lahore adds another layer of seriousness.”
Drone activity between Pakistan and India has seen a marked increase in recent years, often linked to border surveillance, counter-terrorism operations, or intelligence gathering. While most drone incidents have historically occurred along the heavily militarized LoC in Kashmir, this event’s location—Lahore, a major urban center—makes it highly unusual and diplomatically sensitive.
Foreign policy experts suggest that Islamabad may raise the issue at international forums, including the United Nations, to highlight what it perceives as a pattern of Indian aggression and disregard for Pakistan’s sovereignty.
This latest development comes amid a backdrop of fluctuating diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. Both countries have engaged in multiple rounds of accusations over cross-border ceasefire violations, espionage, and cyber warfare in recent years.
As of now, no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure have been reported due to the drone incident. The Pakistani military has confirmed that further investigations are underway to analyze the drone’s technical specifications and flight path.
More updates will follow as this story develops and official responses emerge from both sides.
Source : Swifteradio.com
