Islamabad, May 8, 2025 – Pakistan’s military announced it successfully neutralized 25 Israeli-made Harop drones launched by India, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported the drones targeted multiple cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Gujranwala, in what Pakistan called a “desperate act of aggression.” The operation, involving both soft-kill (jamming) and hard-kill (weaponized) tactics, resulted in one civilian death and four soldiers injured, with debris collection ongoing across affected regions.
The Harop, a loitering munition by Israel Aerospace Industries, boasts precision strikes and a 1,000 km range. Allegedly used in India’s Operation Sindoor, it targeted Pakistan’s air defense systems, specifically the HQ-9 units in Lahore, following earlier airstrikes. Pakistan claims this was retaliation for India’s accusations of its role in a Kashmir attack. India asserts the strikes neutralized Lahore’s defenses, escalating tensions. Both nations dispute the operation’s motives, with unverified claims clouding the conflict’s true scope and impact.
The conflict intensified after India’s May 6 strikes, which Pakistan says killed 31 civilians. In response, Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian jets, including Rafale fighters, though India denies these losses. Both nations have accused each other of airspace violations, with India reporting it thwarted Pakistani missile attacks on 15 military sites. The U.S. Embassy in Lahore issued a shelter-in-place order for consulate staff amid the drone incursions, signaling international concern.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned that de-escalation efforts, led by the U.S., are faltering, stating, “The conflict is heading toward a blind alley.” Airports in major Pakistani cities were temporarily closed, disrupting civilian travel. Meanwhile, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level security meeting to assess “national preparedness.”
This latest exchange has heightened fears of a broader conflict, with both sides trading accusations of targeting civilians. The international community urges restraint, but the situation remains volatile as debris from downed drones litters Pakistani cities, and both nations bolster their military postures along the border.
