Pakistan violated Indian Airspace, used civilian planes as shield: MEA
New Delhi, May 9: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a detailed press briefing on Friday, said that Pakistan had carried out multiple airspace violations across India’s western border during the night of May 7 and 8, with the apparent intention of targeting Indian military infrastructure. These actions, which involved the use of hundreds of drones and heavy artillery, led to a calibrated and proportionate response from the Indian armed forces under "Operation Sindoor".
Airspace Violations Across Entire Western Border
Addressing the media, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times, aiming to test Indian air defence capabilities and gather intelligence.
“On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace at multiple points across the entire western border. Around 300 to 400 drones were deployed to infiltrate at nearly 36 locations. Many of these drones were successfully intercepted and neutralised using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures,” she said.
Preliminary forensic investigations into the wreckage of the downed drones indicate that they were Turkish-origin Asisguard Songar models.
Use of Civil Airliners as Shields
In a serious revelation, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh accused Pakistan of deliberately endangering civilian lives by keeping its airspace open for civil aircraft even while launching unprovoked aerial attacks.
“Despite initiating a drone and missile assault on India at 8:30 pm on May 7, Pakistan chose not to shut its civil airspace. It is using civil airliners as shields, risking the lives of passengers aboard both domestic and international flights. In contrast, India declared an air defence alert and ensured its airspace was completely free of civil air traffic,” she said.
She added that flight radar data clearly showed civilian aircraft flying between Karachi and Lahore during the period when India’s airspace in Punjab sector was completely cleared as a precaution.
Indian Response and Damage to Pakistani Installations
India responded swiftly to Pakistan’s provocative actions. Armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan, and one drone reportedly destroyed an air defence radar installation.
In addition to the air response, Pakistan also launched artillery shelling across the Line of Control (LoC), deploying heavy-calibre guns and armed drones. This led to casualties and injuries among Indian Army personnel. However, Pakistan’s military suffered significantly heavier losses during India’s retaliatory fire.
MEA Slams Pakistan’s Denial and Duplicity
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri strongly criticised the Pakistani establishment for its attempts to deny the attacks and shift the narrative.
“These provocative and escalatory actions taken by Pakistan targeted not only Indian military bases but also civilian infrastructure and cities. Despite this, Pakistan's official machinery has blatantly denied their involvement, which is yet another example of their duplicity and the new depths they continue to sink to,” he said.
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Chirag Paswan reportedly demands 36 seats, BJP offers 22 amid seat-sharing talks
Bihar elections 2025
Patna: As the countdown to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections officially begins with the notification for the first phase issued on Friday, political maneuvering has intensified within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The spotlight is currently on Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader and Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who is demanding 36 seats, even as the BJP has so far offered only 22, The New Indian Express quoted its sources as saying.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a meeting of senior JD(U) leaders at his official residence, 1 Anne Marg, to finalise the list of candidates. Meanwhile, LJP chief Paswan called an emergency meeting of his party’s core team at the state office to discuss seat distribution and election preparedness.
While Paswan is reportedly pressing for 36 seats, the BJP is hesitant to concede beyond 22. A final decision is expected only after the LJP's central parliamentary board convenes in the national capital.
The JD(U), on its part, is reportedly firm on retaining constituencies held by its sitting MLAs. Chirag Paswan’s party reportedly wants to contest seats like Manhar in Vaishali, Matihani in Begusarai, and Chakai in Jamui, which are presently represented by JD(U) legislators.
On the opposition front, Congress, a major ally of the opposition INDIA bloc, has moved ahead with candidate selection, clearing 25 names for seats largely seen as traditional party bastions. The list was finalised during a meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Bihar will vote in two phases, on November 6 and 11, to elect a new Assembly, with counting on November 14.
