RAWAPINDI, May 08 India has launched drone attacks in several
major cities of Pakistan including Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi,
Attock, Bahawalpur and Karachi.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Director General Inter-Services Public
Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that one civilian
embraced martyrdom, while four soldiers injured in Indian drone attacks
on Pakistan soil.
The military spokesperson said the infiltration attempts were made in
Lahore, Chakwal, Bahwalpur, Attock, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Chor, Miano
and areas near Karachi on night between May 7 and 8.
However, one of the drones managed to partially engage the military
target in Lahore where four officials of Pakistan Army were injured, he
said, adding that there are also minor damages to military equipment.
“Four Pakistan Army soldiers have been injured in this attack near
Lahore with partial damage to an equipment,” he said and added “Another
result of this activity is that one civilian has embraced martyrdom and
one is injured in Miano, Sindh.”
The process of sending drones from India continues, he said and added
the Pakistan Armed Forces are neutralizing them one by one.
DG ISPR stated that Pakistan’s armed forces, fully alert, successfully
shot down 12 Indian drones at various locations, inflicting heavy losses
on the enemy along the Line of Control. The debris of the downed drones
is being collected, he added.
He said, “We are determined and fully capable of teaching a lesson to
those who display such aggression”.
The Army media wing head stated that the attacks as a grave escalation,
accusing India of repeated provocations and the international community
is witness to Indian aggression.
The ISPR DG said the process of India sending across these Harop drones
was a “serious provocation”, adding “This naked aggression continues,
and the armed forces are on high degree of alert and neutralising them
as we speak.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has closed
Lahore and Sialkot airspace to commercial traffic once again amid rising
security concerns following Pakistan-India tension.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued late Wednesday confirmed the closure
of seven major air corridors. According to sources, Lahore and Sialkot
airspace will remain closed till 6pm.
Passengers have been urged to stay in contact with their airlines and
monitor updates from the PCAA, as further changes to flight schedules
are anticipated due to the ongoing escalation in the region.
Panic spread across Lahore Walton Road and surrounding areas as three
explosions were heard in quick succession, causing residents to rush out
of their homes in fear early Thursday morning.
According to Lahore Police, the explosions occurred within moments of
each other. The blasts were loud enough to be heard several kilometers
away, prompting hundreds to gather on the streets in confusion and
alarm