Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones neutralised by Army Air Defence

 Pictures of the Kamikaze drone recovered
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In the early hours of Saturday (May 10, 2025) around 5.00 a.m., several Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones were launched by Pakistan across the International Border towards Amritsar in Punjab and they were shot down by Army Air Defence (AAD), according to official sources who described it as an attempt to strike densely populated residential areas.

Follow the Operation Sindoor LIVE updates

“Thanks to the vigilance and rapid response of the AAD network, the hostile drones were detected, tracked and engaged within seconds of breaching Indian airspace,” a source stated. “Using quick-reaction air-defence guns positioned in depth along the border belt, AAD gunners brought down the drones in mid-air, ensuring that no debris fell on civilian property and that no casualties were sustained.”

In a briefing on Saturday (May 10, 2025) morning, Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh said that on the night of May 9 and 10, Pakistan employed Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV), drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions and fighter jets to target civilian areas and military infrastructure along the international border and the Line of Control at more than 26 locations along the Western borders.

Also Read | Terrorist launchpad in Pakistan opposite Jammu’s Akhnoor destroyed: BSF

Initial analysis indicates that these Turkish-origin drones carried high-explosive payloads intended to inflict maximum damage on innocent civilians, the source stated terming it as a “new low” in Pakistan’s “repeated” attempts in targeting civilians. “The prompt neutralisation of this threat underscores the effectiveness of India’s layered air-defence grid, which integrates ground-based radars, electro-optical sensors and automated command and control systems,” the source added.

In a briefing on Friday (May 9) on the developments on the intervening night of May 8 and 9, the Government said that on Thursday night Pakistan attempted drone intrusions from Leh to Sir Creek at 36 locations with approximately 300 to 400 drones, which on preliminary examination suggest them to be Asisguard Songar armed drone from Turkey.

 Pictures of the Kamikaze drone recovered
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Air Defence functions in three levels – gun/missile system, medium range and high range. Within this, the Air Defence guns are of two types, AD Gun Missile system, AD self-propelled guns. In the medium segment, it has the indigenous Akash Surface to Air Missile system that has come into action in the last few days, while Medium Range Surface to Air Missile System falls in the high range. The overall responsibility of the country’s air defence is with the Indian Air Force.