The Indian Army intercepted drones suspected to be Turkish-made, in a move seen as a provocation and a direct violation of the newly agreed truce.
BY PC Bureau
May 11, 2025 – Tensions between India and Pakistan surged anew as multiple Pakistani drones reportedly breached Indian airspace late on May 10, flying perilously close to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. The incursion, just hours after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire came into effect, has triggered public outrage and heightened military alert in the region.
Drone Intrusion Near Vaishno Devi Shrine
According to local media and social media reports, unidentified drones were spotted over the hills surrounding the Vaishno Devi Shrine, one of Hinduism’s holiest sites. The drones are believed to have entered from the Akhnoor sector, moving toward Katra and Udhampur. Authorities immediately enforced a blackout in the shrine area and nearby towns to reduce visibility, as explosions — likely from air defense interceptions — were reported.
Indian security agencies, including the Army and Air Force, responded swiftly. Preliminary assessments suggest the drones may have been Turkish-made Asisguard SONGARs, capable of both reconnaissance and armed assault — raising alarms over the potential motive.
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No damage to the shrine or casualties have been reported, but the incident has sparked panic among pilgrims and residents.
Pakistan fired drones near Mata Vaishno Devi temple!
All the lights of Vaishno Devi have been switched off…#IndiaPakistanWar2025 #ceasefire pic.twitter.com/6b8lSji5Q0— Kalyani Ambedkar 🇮🇳 (@KalyaniAmbedkar) May 10, 2025
Escalation After Ceasefire
The drone intrusion came just hours after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, brokered by the United States. The truce, announced by President Donald Trump and endorsed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was intended to halt escalating hostilities, including drone and missile attacks earlier this week that targeted over two dozen locations across India’s western front.
Indian officials have slammed Pakistan for violating the ceasefire almost immediately, accusing Islamabad of duplicity and provocation.
Official and Public Reactions
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the breach, calling it “another night in our fight against terrorism.” He praised the armed forces and expressed confidence in the shrine’s protection. Social media saw an outpouring of anger and defiance, with many alleging that the drones deliberately targeted the holy site. The hashtags #IndiaPakistanWar2025 and #VaishnoDevi trended widely.
Pakistan has yet to issue an official response, although in past incidents, Islamabad has denied involvement and accused India of inflaming tensions.
Strategic and Religious Implications
Targeting the Vaishno Devi Shrine — a sacred symbol of faith for millions — is viewed by Indian analysts as a deliberate attempt to inflame religious passions and destabilize the region. The move also reflects a shift toward asymmetric warfare, as drones test India’s defense without full-scale engagement.
The Ministry of Defence assured the public that all aerial threats are being closely monitored and neutralized, and urged citizens in sensitive zones to remain vigilant.
Global Concern and Allegations of Turkish Links
The use of Turkish-origin drones has drawn fresh scrutiny toward Ankara’s defense ties with Pakistan. The U.S. has called for immediate de-escalation, while China has urged restraint — even as it reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s “sovereignty and national independence” in a separate conversation with Deputy PM Ishaq Dar. Indian NSA Ajit Doval has reportedly expressed concern to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about Beijing’s open support to Islamabad despite its alleged ceasefire violations.
