The Pakistani military has announced the interception and neutralization of more than two dozen Indian drones that crossed the border since the previous night.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday morning, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that the downed Indian aircraft included sophisticated ‘Harop drones’, a loitering munition system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The army’s chief spokesperson also presented a series of images during the press briefing showing debris from the drones. The interception locations included Karachi and Lahore, indicating a significant depth of the incursion.
However, he reassured the nation that the armed forces were on high alert and actively engaged in neutralizing any further threats.
According to the IAI website, the Harop drone is a dual-capability system capable of both hovering over a battlefield and striking targets upon command.
It is particularly notable for its ability to target enemy air defenses and other critical assets. This type of drone blurs the distinction between a traditional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a missile, possessing self-propelled flight capabilities and the option for autonomous or manual operation.
If a target is not engaged, the Harop can return to base and land. Its design allows for launch from land-based canisters or air platforms.
The Harop drone has a documented history of use in conflicts, notably by Azerbaijan against Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in both 2016 and 2020.
It was allegedly used in attacks that resulted in casualties and the destruction of military vehicles. Additionally, the drone has reportedly been deployed in the Syrian conflict, with claims of successful strikes against Syrian air defenses and armed forces.
There are also indications suggesting that Türkiye may have been an early adopter of the system.
