ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s armed forces have taken down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones that have been sent to the country since last night, the military’s media wing confirmed.
As per the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the drones were downed with soft kill (technical) and hard kill (weaponised) skills.
It said India was “panicked by the elimination of its five modern jets, several drones and soldier deaths” caused by Pakistan’s response to its airstrikes on May 6.
“India is attacking Pakistan with Israeli-made Harop drones in panic,” the military said, adding that this cowardly attack is a sign of India’s anxiety and hunger.
“The debris of Israeli-made Herop drones is being collected from different areas of Pakistan,” it added.
Furthermore, the military added that India has also suffered heavy losses on the Line of Control.
“Pakistan forces are giving a befitting reply to the enemy and are crushing all its intentions.”
NA suspends routine agenda to discuss Pak-India standoff
The National Assembly has adopted a proposal to defer its usual agenda for the May 9 session in order to further debate the escalation between India and Pakistan, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan
The motion, proposed by PPP legislator Ijaz Jakhrani, was overwhelmingly adopted. Jakhrani sought approval to suspend the upcoming session’s normal procedures due to current national security concerns.
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Minorities stand firmly with the Armed Forces
IPL matches disturbed amid Pak-India tensions
Amid the recent tensions between Pakistan and India, the schedule of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been disturbed as the matches are being rescheduled from their current fixture, according to Indian media reports.
The scheduled match between the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab on May 11 has now been shifted to Hyderabad from Dharamshala.
The shifting of matches is due to the closure of Dharamshala airport amid the rising tension making it difficult for the team travel nd other logistic support.
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India says 16 killed in cross-border firing
India’s Ministry of Defense claimed that at least 16 civilians, including three women and five children, have been killed in cross-border firing along the Line of Control.
“Mortars and heavy calibre Artillery were fired in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir,” India’s defence ministry said.
“Sixteen innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children.”
Tarrar says Pakistan has killed ’40-50 Indian soldiers’
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has claimed that Pakistani forces killed “40 to 50 Indian soldiers” across the Line of Control, Reuters reported.
“We have blown their [Indian] military installations on the de facto border,” Tarar said.
US issues advisory for its consulate personnel in Lahore
The United States Consulate General in Lahore has directed all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place due to reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions in different Punjab cities, including Lahore
“U.S. citizens who find themselves in an area of active conflict should leave if they can do so safely. If it is not safe to leave, they should shelter-in-place,” the advisory read.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan will send updates as needed through our messaging system. Please ensure that you are enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), it reads.
Parliamentarians pay tribute to armed forces
The lawmakers in the National Assembly on Thursday paid rich tributes to the Pakistan armed forces for “giving a befitting response to Indian aggression,” state-run APP reported.
Speaking in the House, the parliamentarian said the nation stands united to shoulder with their forces.
They strongly condemned the cowardly attack by Indian forces, calling it a shameful act, and affirmed that Pakistan is fully prepared to respond to any aggression with full force.
The lawmakers said India’s unprovoked attack is not only a serious threat to regional peace and stability, but also a blatant violation of international laws and human rights.
Glimpses from today’s session of the National Assembly. #NASession pic.twitter.com/IOb2ULKD87
— National Assembly (@NAofPakistan) May 8, 2025
Punjab starts mock exercises
Punjab government has started mock exercises by the Civil Defense and Rescue 1122 across the province to ensure preparedness for any emergency amid the prevailing situation, the govt spokesperson said.
Mock drills are taking place in Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sargodha, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Multan, Muzaffargarh, and other key locations of the province.
وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز کا اہم اقدام
پنجاب میں سول ڈیفنس اور ریسکیو 1122 کی مشترکہ فرضی مشقیں شروع
محکمہ سول ڈیفنس کو فعال بنانے کے لیے پنجاب بھر میں ایکسرسائزز کا آغاز
ضلعی انتظامیہ کو ایکسرسائز کی مانیٹرنگ کی ہدایت pic.twitter.com/MOP7djtuAR
— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) May 8, 2025
British Council exams cancelled in Lahore
The Cambridge O and A-Level exams scheduled for 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Lahore have been canceled owing to security concerns and the possibility of Indian drone attacks, according to British Council sources.
The decision, announced just before the scheduled exams, only applies to Lahore. Exams in Karachi, Islamabad, and other cities will proceed according to the original schedule, according to British Council sources.
1/3 Due to the developing situation in Lahore, British Council has agreed with the relevant boards to cancel GCE, IGCSE, IELTS and University of London exams scheduled for today, Thursday 8 May 2025 for the PM session across all Lahore venues.
— British Council Pakistan (@pkBritish) May 8, 2025
Flight operations restored
Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) spokesperson Saifullah Khan has confirmed that the airports in Lahore, Islamabad, and Sialkot are available for flight operations.
The passengers were requested to contact their airlines for information regarding their flights, the statement added.
More drones crashed in Rawalpindi
In a latest attempt, an indian drone has hit a shop in Rawalpindi Food Street near the cricket Stadium, where the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches are being held.
Drones were also disabled in Rawalpindi and Attock, said the DG ISPR. As per initial details, one civilian was injured and was shifted to the hospital. The alleged drone crashed after hitting a tree.
The other two drones crashed in Rawalpindi Race Course and Saddar Rumi Road, where it hit a residential building.
In Picture: Indian drones’ debris
Pakistan shoots down 12 Indian drones
Pakistan armed forces shot down 12 Indian drones in various parts of the country on the night of May 7 and 8, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed.
Addressing the media early Thursday, the military’s spokesperson said that one drone crashed near Lahore, while others were taken down close to Rawalpindi, Chakwal, and Karachi.
Drones were shot down in Lahore, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Miano, Karachi, Chhor, Rawalpindi, and Attock, Lt Gen Sharif added.
According to the DG ISPR, Four Pakistan Army men sustained injuries in Lahore as a result of a drone attack, while one civilian was martyred in Miano, Sindh.
He further stated that Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully alert. India, he said, has targeted mosques and civilians during the ongoing hostilities.
Flight operations briefly suspended
Pakistani aviation authorities have temporarily suspended flights at Lahore, Sialkot, and Karachi airports after several Indian drone crashes were reported in Lahore and other cities in Punjab.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, Lahore and Sialkot airports will not be available until 12:00 am on May 8.
The fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued, stating that several air routes within Lahore and Sialkot have been closed for commercial flights.
As a result of the restricted airspace, multiple Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights have been impacted. Several Lahore-bound flights have been rerouted to Islamabad airport.
The decision was taken after armed forces reportedly shot down an Indian spy drone in Lahore’s Naseerabad area in the wee hours of Thursday, prompting authorities to close educational institutions in the provincial capital.
Earlier today, multiple explosions were heard near Lahore’s Walton Road. Eyewitnesses reported hearing at least two to three blasts, after which law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and started an investigation.
Barki explosion
Shortly after a drone was shot down in the Walton neighborhood of Lahore on Thursday, there was an explosion in Barki, a village some 11 kilometers from the Pakistan-India border.
Three explosions were heard in the city, according to reports, but there were no reported damages. A planned attack in Punjab’s capital city was thwarted when security personnel quickly spotted the drone and shot it down.
Indian drones shot down in Sheikhupura, Ghotki: reports
In another development, the Pakistan Army shoots down an Indian drone near the village of Bahoman in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district. Rescue and police officials reached the spot.
Indian drone crashed in fields far from the village, no casualties or damage reported, sources said.
Several reports also suggested that a drone was shot down in the Khenju areas in Dharki tehsil of Ghotki district. Police reported that one civilian has been injured in the strike.
In view of the situation, police have been dispatched to the Pakistan-India border area of Khenjo, Ubauro Deputy Superintendent of Police said in a statement.
Drone wreckage recovered in Chakwal
A drone crashed near the village of Diwalian in the Dhman area of Chakwal on Tuesday, according to police. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene and secured the drone’s debris, police confirmed. The cause of the crash remains unclear, and an investigation is currently underway.
Drone intercepted in Gujranwala
In another incident, security forces intercepted an Indian drone in Gujranwala at the early hours of Thursday. The wreckage of a drone has been found in the Solakhanabad area near Pasrur Road.
Security officials have seized the wreckage of the drone, and there are no reports of any damage. The particles of the Indian drone have been transferred to the laboratory for further investigation.
As per security sources, the drone was shot down by an air defence system at Gujranwala cantonment.
India, Pakistan troops trade gunfire overnight on LoC
Indian and Pakistani soldiers reportedly exchanged small arms and artillery fire overnight along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir, according to AFP.
There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan of the latest reported skirmishes along the frontier.
The fire exchange took place in areas “opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri and Akhnoor” in occupied Kashmir, according to a statement by the Indian army.
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