New Delhi: India on Friday (May 9) said that Pakistan attempted intrusions using about 300-400 drones at 36 locations across the LoC from Leh to Sir Creek on the intervening night of May 8 and 9 and carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace along the entire western border with an “intent to target military infrastructure” and using “civil airliners as a shield”.In a joint press conference addressed by foreign secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, India said that the possible reason behind the aerial intrusions was to “test air defence systems”, while preliminary examination of the debris of the drones brought done by India have found them to be Turkish Asisguard Songar drones.Tensions escalated on Thursday evening following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ – when military strikes were conducted on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the wee hours of May 7. The operation was conducted in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack last month when 26 civilians were killed on April 22.“On the intervening night of 8th, 9th May 2025, Pakistan military carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace along the entire western border with an intent to target military infrastructure,” said Singh.“Pakistan military also resorted to firing of heavy caliber weapons along the LoC. Along the international border and LoC Drone intrusions were attempted from Leh to Sir Creekg at 36 locations with approx. 300-400 drones. Indian armed forces brought down these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of these large scale aerial intrusions were to test the AD (air defence) systems and gather intelligence. Forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken. Preliminary reports suggest them to be Asisguard Songar drones of Turkey.”Singh said that an armed UAV of Pakistan attempted to target Bathinda military station which was detected and neutralised, while Indian armed drones were in response launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan. While the locations were not mentioned, Singh said that one of these drones “was able to destroy an AD radar”.“Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling along the LoC using heavy calibre artillery guns and armed drones at Tangdhar, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Akhnoor and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir area which resulted in some losses and injury to Indian army personnel. (The) Pakistan army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire,” she said.India has also said that Pakistan did not close its civil air space and is “using civil airliners as a shield”.“Additionally Pakistan’s irresponsible behaviour again came to the fore. Pakistan did not close its civil air space despite launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on May 7 at 830 hours in the evening. Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response,” said Singh.India has said that civil airlines were seen flying on the air route between Karachi and Lahore while the Indian side was devoid of civil air traffic due to closures announced before.About 28 airports across the country have been closed in the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan, Press Trust of India has reported.Heavy shelling and drone and missile attacks on several defence installations and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir led to the death of one woman and another suffering injuries, while a blackout was imposed from 10 pm on Thursday night. Residents of Jammu city and several villages along the LoC in Kashmir and International Border spent a brutal night on Thursday as the sounds of artillery shelling, integrated defence systems targeting incoming drones and missiles from Pakistan, and air raid sirens were heard.