Intense shelling along LoC, Govt says Pak sent 400 Turkish drones to attack 36 locations
The Indian Army had retaliated to intense shelling of artillery guns by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control on Friday and authorities had said on Friday that Pakistan deployed nearly 400 drones to drop explosives in 36 locations from Siachen to Sir Creek the previous night against which Indian air defence system was deployed and proved to be successful. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath met the Chief of Defence Staff and chiefs of the three forces separately. The government said during a preliminary probe it was found that Pakistan had supplied Turkish Songar armed drones. Indian armed drones were then launched at four air defence sites.
The officials said as a result, “some losses and injuries” were suffered by Indian Army personnel. The only woman who died in Uri was killed and at least four other civilians were wounded when artillery fire, the heaviest in recent memory, hit scores of houses.
Nargis Bashir was killed late Saturday, after the vehicle she was traveling in was struck by a Pakistani shell, officials said. Her family said she had been hit while boarding the vehicle to escape shelling from Pakistani troops in the village of Razarwani, in Uri.
Singh stated, “On May 8-9 night, Pakistan military attempted several violations of Indian airspace on the entire western border with a view to strike some military assets. Pakistan military also resorted to firing of heavy caliber weapons along the Line of Control.”
Tarique stated, “Now along the International Border and the Line of Control, attempted drone incursions were made from Siachen to Sir Creek with 300 to 400 drones in 36 separate attempts.” “Several of these drones were intercepted and destroyed by Indian armed forces using kinetic and non-kinetic means,” she added. “Kinetic” involves the use of weapons such as missiles and other military systems, while non-kinetic refers to devices like anti-drone nets and jammers.
Tarique: “The drone strikes aimed at providing guidance for target acquisition to long-range strike weapons platforms and collecting signals intelligence, which indicates testing of the air defense completely,” she said. “Forensic analysis of the remains is ongoing. Initial findings suggest they belong to a Turkish Asisguard Songar drone.”
Wing Commander Singh said that on the intervening night of May 8-9, “Pakistan military carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace along the entire western border with an intent to target military infrastructure. The Pakistan military also resorted to firing of heavy caliber weapons along the Line of Control.”
“Along the International Border and Line of Control, drone intrusions were attempted from Siachen 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,” she said. Kinetic options refer to use of missiles and other weapon systems, and non-kinetic to measures like jammers and anti-drone nets.
“The possible purpose of these large-scale area intrusions were to test the air defence systems and gather intelligence. Forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken. Preliminary reports assert them to be of Asisguard’s Songar drone of Turkey,” she said.
Later in the night, an armed Pakistani UAV attempted to target an Indian military station which, she said, was “detected and neutralised”.