New Delhi: Pakistan deployed Turkish-origin unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including kamikaze drones, during the recent cross-border hostilities with India under Operation Sindoor, Indian security officials confirmed.
According to official briefings and field assessments, Pakistani forces launched a large number of drones—many of Turkish manufacture—across multiple sectors during the escalation in early May. Indian air defence systems intercepted and neutralised several of these UAVs, preventing major damage.
The Made-In-Turkey, Fired-From-Lahore Drone Shot Down By India In Op Sindoor https://t.co/KhykoCkKGx#NDTVExclusive @AdityaRajKaul pic.twitter.com/EocyZ1Ppn2
— NDTV (@ndtv) December 15, 2025
One such Turkish-origin kamikaze drone, launched from Pakistan’s Lahore region and headed towards Jalandhar, was shot down by Indian forces on May 10. The wreckage was recovered, forensically analysed, and later displayed publicly by the Indian Army, establishing its foreign origin and explosive payload.
Security sources said Pakistan relied heavily on loitering munitions and armed drones supplied by Turkish defence firms. Media reports identified variants linked to Turkish manufacturers known for combat-proven UAV platforms used in multiple conflict zones worldwide.
During the hostilities, Indian forces activated layered counter-drone measures, including air defence guns, electronic warfare systems and surface-to-air missiles, to counter the incoming swarm-style drone attacks. Officials said the majority of hostile UAVs were either shot down or disabled mid-air.
Defence analysts noted that the incident highlights the growing role of affordable, weaponised drone technology in modern warfare, enabling rapid escalation without conventional air strikes. The use of foreign-supplied drones has also raised concerns over third-party involvement and arms supply chains in South Asian conflicts.
The reported deployment of Turkish drones by Pakistan triggered diplomatic and public reactions in India, with calls for scrutiny of Ankara’s defence exports and their regional impact. The issue has further intensified debate over drone proliferation and the need for stricter international controls on armed UAV transfers.
Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to terror-linked threats, marked one of the most drone-intensive episodes in the India–Pakistan security landscape, underscoring the evolving nature of cross-border conflict and the increasing importance of counter-drone preparedness.
