Indian military sources confirmed that a Sukhoi-30 fighter jet engaged and destroyed a Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near Bikaner in Rajasthan, close to the international border, on Monday. The incident occurred less than a week after a similar Pakistani drone was shot down on February 27, according to reports.
The confrontation follows a series of escalations between India and Pakistan since February 14, when a suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 40 paramilitary personnel. A Pakistan-based militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, prompting India to conduct airstrikes in Pakistani territory 12 days later.
Tensions peaked in February when Pakistani and Indian aircraft clashed in aerial dogfights, resulting in an Indian fighter being shot down and its pilot captured. The pilot was later returned to India in a gesture of goodwill by Pakistan, temporarily easing hostilities.
Despite this, cross-border artillery exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir continued, with both sides reporting casualties. Indian forces have also detained numerous separatist leaders in the region, while clashes with militants persist.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the situation during a political rally, stating, "For how long will they keep killing innocents? It is our principle that we will get into their homes, to eliminate them." The remarks underscored the volatile security environment as elections approach.
Kashmir has remained a disputed territory since 1947, with the region's conflict fueling three wars between India and Pakistan. An armed insurgency in the area, which India alleges is backed by Pakistan, has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths since the late 1980s.
