New Delhi: In a sharp escalation following Operation Sindoor, India has issued a stern warning to Pakistan after multiple attempts were made to violate Indian airspace using loitering munitions. According to top government sources, these precision-guided weapons were launched during the night with the intent to target radar installations along the Indian border. However, the Indian Air Force (IAF), on high alert, intercepted and neutralized the threats before they could cause any damage.
Loitering munitions—often referred to as kamikaze drones—are advanced aerial weapons that combine the features of drones and missiles. Unlike traditional missiles that are launched at a specific target, loitering munitions are designed to hover in an area, autonomously or under human control, until a suitable target is identified. Upon target acquisition, the munition dives into the target and detonates, destroying both itself and the objective.
Sources familiar with the situation indicated that remnants of Pakistani munitions were recovered in Indian border states, particularly Punjab. Among the debris, parts of a PL-15E missile—an export variant of the Chinese PL-15—were discovered in Hoshiarpur, further pointing to foreign involvement in Pakistan’s latest provocations.
India has emphasized that its response has so far been measured. “We have robust air defense systems that have effectively managed the threat and avoided escalation. Our retaliation during Operation Sindoor targeted only terror hideouts, avoiding civilian or military installations in Pakistan,” the sources stated. They also highlighted the contrast with Pakistan’s alleged targeting of civilian populations, including minority Sikh communities in Poonch.
Social media was flooded with images of the destroyed Pakistani munitions, drawing further public attention to the failed incursion. Meanwhile, Indian authorities continue to monitor the situation closely amid fears of further provocations. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the media for the first time since Operation Sindoor, stating unequivocally, “India will respond decisively to any misadventure from Pakistan.” Government sources also did not rule out the possibility of further military operations if the situation on the ground deteriorates.
India maintains that Operation Sindoor was a targeted operation against terror infrastructure sheltered within Pakistani territory—specifically those linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which have long been accused of fueling unrest in Kashmir. Officials reiterated that any future responses would continue to focus solely on counter-terrorism objectives, in stark contrast to what they described as Pakistan’s “reckless and provocative behavior.”
On May 8, 2025, a day after India hit terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor, its defense systems thwarted Pakistan’s attempted attacks on military targets in northern and western India. India targeted multiple air defense systems in Pakistan and successfully hit one in Lahore using Israeli HAROP drones, a type of unmanned combat aerial vehicle.
The HAROP is a significant advancement in loitering munitions, capable of autonomous reconnaissance, target identification, and lethal strikes. It can loiter over an area for up to nine hours and has an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometers. The drone combines the characteristics of a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and a missile, making it a formidable weapon in modern warfare.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that India had used HAROPs, claiming that the Indian armed forces targeted major Pakistani cities, including Lahore and Karachi, on May 8, 2025. The Pakistani military stated it had neutralized 12 HAROP drones at various locations, including Lahore, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi. However, one drone managed to engage a military target near Lahore, injuring four Pakistani army personnel and causing partial damage to equipment.
In response, India confirmed that it attacked Pakistan Air Defense Radars, neutralizing one air defense system at Lahore. This marked the combat debut of the HAROP drone in South Asia, showcasing its capabilities in a real conflict situation.
The tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated significantly following the Pahalgam attack that killed 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen on April 22. Following this incident, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine locations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s hub in Muridke. The operation was characterized by its precision and intelligence-based targeting, avoiding engagement with Pakistani military sites.
The loitering munitions used by the Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor were reportedly manufactured in Bengaluru, developed by a private company in collaboration with an Israeli military technology firm. This was the first time the Indian armed forces used this technology in large numbers in a military operation to target terrorist camps across the border.
As the situation remains tense, both nations are on high alert. Pakistan has accused India of aggressive military actions, while India maintains that its operations are focused solely on counter-terrorism. The international community is closely watching the developments, with concerns about the potential for further escalations in hostilities.
In summary, the recent military actions between India and Pakistan highlight the growing sophistication of military technologies, particularly loitering munitions, and the increasingly volatile nature of their relationship. As both nations continue to assert their military capabilities, the potential for conflict remains a pressing concern for regional stability.
