Chandigarh: Pakistan sent a drone to the drone strike location in Nanak, Gurdaspur, Punjab, near the sensitive Kartarpur corridor. The Indian armed forces quickly dealt with the threat by destroying all drones in mid-air, avoiding casualties. It is part of a series of Pakistani drone incursions in which unexploded body parts of drones have been recovered from villages in Punjab and Rajasthan, and this incident has raised fears among the locals. Authorities have tightened security in the region and called for calm.
Actions Taken By Indian Forces Immediately
On Friday, multiple drones were flown over the Kartarpur Corridor, a major religious site connecting India and Pakistan for Sikh pilgrims. The Hindustan Times quoted local residents as saying that more than half a dozen drones appeared in the area but were intercepted by India’s air defence systems. Promptly firing the warheads triggered off mid-air, the advanced defence network prevented the drone strike from being carried out and ended in disaster in the densely populous locality.
There were no reports of deaths, but reports of minor injuries were possible. Even drone incursions in Punjab’s Fazilka and many parts of Rajasthan in the recent past have been well-coordinated attempts from across the border to target civilians and strategic locations. In reaction, police and administrative officials have urged people to stay indoors and be vigilant. This is as security forces try to bring normalcy back to the areas where tension prevails.
The increased tensions have since led to increased security measures.
This drone attack follows a policy of escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan that began with India’s Operation Sindoor on 6-7 May 2025. During this operation, the Indian Air Force neutralised more than 100 terrorists and destroyed furniture in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Pakistani air defence system was disrupted. Consequently, Pakistan, in response, has increased its menacing tactics by using 300–400 units of Turkish-made Asisguard Songar UAVs on May 8–9 to test India’s defences before targeting both civilian and military establishments in several states .
The recent attack, which came just a few kilometres close to the Kartarpur Corridor which is viewed as the global image of peace and inter-religious co-existence, has also fuelled apprehensions about Pakistan’s efforts to adversely influence its neighbourhood. The corridor that allows Indian pilgrims visa-free entry to gurdwara and darbar sahib in Pakistan has been shut since May 7 due to uncertain security conditions. Additionally, the Indian government has blocked the online registration portal for the largely symbolic corridor, drastically limiting foot traffic and increasing security on the zero line that divides the two nations.
Community reaction and local impact
Residents of Dera Baba Nanak and neighbouring areas continue to remain on edge after the drone attack. The presence of drones near targets frequently associated with religious nationalism, combined with turmoil in the area, has raised concerns about the increasing likelihood of an explosion. To reassure the public and prevent panic, local authorities have dispatched additional security personnel. The border area, with its checkpoints, patrols, and border security, has been beefed up on both the Indian and Pakistani sides. This is done with more men and hardware in place closer to the access points to the corridor.
The closure of the Kartarpur Corridor, one of the few areas of cooperation between the two countries, shows how serious the current conflict is. The temporary suspension of the corridor, along with the drone attack, displays all the hurdles to peace and stability in a conflict-ridden region.
Wider Background of Pakistani Hostility
The drone attacks represent a continuation of the provocations that have followed India’s successful military operations against Pakistan. Flying drones in and around civilian areas, including religious sites, appears to undermine public safety and encourage a response that might escalate violence. Despite these advancements, India has responded effectively through its air defence systems, especially the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and the S-400 “Sudarshan Chakra,” with a substantial number of drones neutralised and damage minimised.
The Indian government has denounced Pakistani activities, alleging that they attack civilian and religious properties to create discontent among the forces’. Particularly infuriating for officials is how the attack occurred near the Kartarpur Corridor, a place of cultural and spiritual significance, during a time of harmony between India and Pakistan. Officials call it a “calculated move to disturb peace”.