KASHMIR, INDIA — Tensions have escalated between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan, with accusations of drone and missile attacks marking a potentially unprecedented phase in their long-standing rivalry.
India has accused Pakistan of launching multiple drone and missile incursions targeting three military installations within Indian territory and Indian-administered Kashmir. Islamabad has swiftly denied these allegations.
Conversely, Pakistan claims to have intercepted and downed 25 Indian drones in recent hours. As of yet, Delhi has not issued a public statement regarding these claims.
Analysts suggest that these reciprocal actions, involving unmanned aerial weapons across a volatile border, signify a dangerous new dimension to the decades-long conflict, moving beyond traditional artillery exchanges.
Global powers, including Washington, have urged both nations to exercise restraint as the region faces a heightened risk of escalation. The deployment of drones – characterized by their silent operation, remote control, and deniability – is seen as opening a new chapter in the India-Pakistan conflict.
According to Jahara Matisek, a professor at the US Naval War College, “The Indo-Pak conflict is moving into a new drone era – one where ‘invisible eyes’ and unmanned precision may determine escalation or restraint. Thus, in South Asia’s contested skies, the side that masters drone warfare won’t just see the battlefield – they’ll shape it.”
Pakistan reports that Indian air strikes and cross-border fire since Wednesday morning have resulted in 36 fatalities and 57 injuries in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Simultaneously, the Indian army reports at least 16 civilian deaths due to alleged Pakistani shelling.
India maintains that its missile barrage was a retaliatory measure following a deadly militant attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam last month, an attack for which Islamabad denies any involvement.
On Thursday, the Pakistani military announced the downing of 25 Indian drones across various cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. These drones were reportedly Israeli-made Harop models and were allegedly intercepted using both technical and weapon-based countermeasures.
India, in turn, claimed to have neutralized several Pakistani air defense radars and systems, including one in Lahore, which Pakistan denied. The increasing prominence of laser-guided missiles and bombs, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in modern warfare underscores their role in enhancing the precision and efficiency of military operations.
These platforms can provide coordinates for airstrikes or, if equipped, directly laser-designate targets, facilitating immediate engagement.
Professor Matisek further explained the dual utility of drones: “This is how Ukraine and Russia both do it in their war. This dual role – targeting and triggering – makes drones a force multiplier in degrading enemy air defences without risking manned aircraft.”
Drones can function as decoys or in the suppression of enemy air defenses by entering contested airspace to provoke radar emissions, which can then be targeted by other munitions, such as loitering drones or anti-radiation missiles.
Experts indicate that India’s drone capabilities primarily consist of Israeli-manufactured reconnaissance UAVs like the IAI Searcher and Heron, along with Harpy and Harop loitering munitions – drones that can function as missiles for autonomous reconnaissance and precision strikes.
The Harop, in particular, signifies a move towards high-value, precision-targeted warfare, highlighting the growing significance of loitering munitions in contemporary conflict.
The Heron is described by experts as India’s “high-altitude eyes in the sky,” utilized for both peacetime monitoring and combat operations. The IAI Searcher Mk II is designed for frontline operations, offering up to 18 hours of endurance, a range of 300km (186 miles), and a service ceiling of 7,000m (23,000ft).
While India’s current combat drone numbers are considered “modest” by many, a recent $4 billion agreement to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US represents a significant advancement in its strike capabilities. These drones boast an endurance of 40 hours and can operate at altitudes up to 40,000ft.
India is also reportedly developing swarm drone tactics, involving the deployment of numerous smaller UAVs to overwhelm and saturate enemy air defenses, thereby facilitating the penetration of higher-value assets.
According to Ejaz Haider, a Lahore-based defense analyst, Pakistan’s drone fleet is “extensive and diverse,” incorporating both domestically produced and imported systems. He stated that the inventory includes “over a thousand drones,” featuring models from China, Turkey, and local manufacturers.
Notable platforms include the Chinese CH-4, the Turkish Bayraktar Akinci, and Pakistan’s own Burraq and Shahpar drones. Additionally, Pakistan has developed loitering munitions, enhancing its offensive capabilities.
