The longstanding conflict between India and Pakistan has entered a new and perilous phase, marked by the deployment of drone warfare by both nations. On May 9, 2025, India accused Pakistan of launching drone and missile attacks on three military bases within Indian territory and Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan swiftly denied these allegations, asserting instead that it had shot down 25 Indian drones over cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
Experts warn that this tit-for-tat exchange signifies a dangerous escalation in the decades-old rivalry, introducing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the theater of conflict. The use of drones—silent, remote, and deniable—adds a new layer of complexity to the already volatile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Jahara Matisek, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College, commented on the development: “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.”
The recent hostilities have resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Pakistan reports that Indian airstrikes and cross-border fire have killed 36 people and injured 57 more in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Conversely, India’s army reports at least 16 civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling. India maintains that its missile barrage was in retaliation for a deadly militant attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam last month, an incident that Pakistan denies involvement in.
The introduction of drones into the conflict has raised alarms among international observers, who fear that the use of such technology could lower the threshold for escalation and make conflict more likely. As both nations continue to develop and deploy advanced UAV capabilities, the international community watches with concern, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent further deterioration of regional stability.
Credit: Saudi Gazette
