Pakistan used civil airliner as shield during attack: Indian defence officials

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during a press briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday. Pic/Screenshot of the video/MEA

The women officers of the Indian Armed Forces, during a press briefing on Friday evening, revealed about Pakistan's nefarious plot amid the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.

During the press briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, "Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on May 7 at 08:30 hours."

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"Pakistan is using a civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response," added Wing Commander Singh.

It is unsafe for unsuspecting civil airliners, including international flights that fly near International Borders between India and Pakistan, she said.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, held a special press briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on India's 'Operation Sindoor'.

The officials also showed a screenshot that showed the data of the application 'FlightRadar24' during a high air defence alert situation in the Punjab sector.

The defence official said that Pakistan Army fired around 300-400 drones on the intervening night of May 8 and May 9 at about 36 locations in India.

The drones were apparently Turkey-made. However, an evidence to this effect is awaited, they said.

The women officers further informed that a detailed forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done.

"Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones," the officials said on May 9.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said, "On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure. It also fired heavy caliber weapons along the Line of Control (LOC).

"All their attempts were neutralised by us via kinetic and non-kinetic means," Qureshi said.

On May 8, Pakistan targeted multiple cities, including military installations with volley of drones and missile attack, the officials said, adding that all were repulsed by India's robust air defence system and this left the Pakistan Army flustered and panicky.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh further said that an armed UAV of Pakistan Army even attempted to target Bhatinda military station and it was detected and neutralised in due time.