In Conflict With India, Turkey Backing Pakistan With Arms And Diplomacy

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Turkish-made drones are playing a central role in Pakistan’s large-scale military escalation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border, Indian officials said at a special press briefing on Operation Sindoor. Between 300 and 400 drones, supplied by Turkey, were used by Pakistan to target both military and civilian sites across 36 locations from Leh in Ladakh to Sir Creek in Gujarat.

According to the Indian government, these drones violated Indian airspace on the intervening night of May 8 and 9, likely in an effort to test Indian air defense capabilities and gather intelligence. “These provocative and escalatory actions taken by Pakistan last night were targeted at Indian cities, civilian infrastructure, as well as some military targets,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Forensic teams are now examining the drone wreckage. Preliminary analysis of the debris indicates that the drones used were Turkish-manufactured Asis Guard Songar systems.

Turkey has not condemned the recent terror attack on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, nor has it distanced itself from Pakistan’s actions.

Following India’s retaliatory precision strikes under Operation Sindoor—which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir—Turkey was the only country to openly support Islamabad, NDTV and ANI reported. A statement from the Turkish presidency confirmed that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, offering condolences and describing those killed in the Indian strikes as “martyrs.” “I pray for Allah’s mercy for our brothers who lost their lives in the attacks,” Erdoğan said, reiterating Turkey’s solidarity with Pakistan.

In addition to the drones involved in the recent cross-border violations, Turkey has been a growing defense supplier to Pakistan. Last year alone, Pakistan officially purchased $5.16 million worth of Turkish arms and ammunition.