New Delhi: Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on Friday said that Pakistan was using civil airlines as a shield.
Addressing a press briefing here, Singh, who was flanked by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Colonel Sophiya Qureshi said, "Pakistan's irresponsible behavior, again came to fore, Pakistan did not close its civil airspace, despite it launching a failed, unprovoked drone and missile attack on May 7 at 8.30 hours in the evening. Pakistan is using civil airlines as a shield, knowing fully that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response."
"This is not safe for unsuspecting civil airlines, including the international flights, which were flying near the IB (International Border) between India and Pakistan. The screenshot shows the data of the application Flight Radar 24, during a high air defence alert situation in the Punjab sector, as you have seen, the airspace in the Indian side is absolutely devoid of civil air traffic due to our declared closure, however, there are civil airlines flying between Karachi and Lahore."
"The Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, thus ensuring the safety of international civil carrier," she said.
"On the intervening night of 8th-9th May 2025, Pakistan military carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace along the entire western border with an intent to target military infrastructure. Pakistan military also resorted to firing of heavy-caliber weapons along the Line of Control," she said.
"Along the International Border and Line of Control, drone intrusions were attempted from Leh to Sir Creek at 36 locations with approximately 300 to 400 drones. Indian Armed Forces brought down a number of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of these large-scale aerial intrusions were to test the AD systems and gather intelligence," the Wing Commander said.
"Forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken. Preliminary reports suggest them to be of ASISGUARD SONGAR drone of Turkey. Later in the night, an armed UAV of Pakistan attempted to target Bathinda military station, which was detected and neutralized," she said.
"In response to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar," she added.
"Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling across the Line of Control using heavy-caliber artillery guns and armed drones at Tangdhar, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor and Udhampur in J&K area, which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian Army personnel. Pakistan Army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire," she added.
