Turkey allegedly supported Pakistan in launching drone attacks on India following India’s Operation Sindoor, a precision strike on May 7–8, 2025, targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes responded to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people. Reports claim Turkey supplied over 300 drones and military operatives to aid Pakistan’s retaliation, escalating Indo-Pak tensions. This article examines Turkey’s involvement, the context of the conflict, and the diplomatic fallout, drawing on verified sources.
In This Article:
Turkey’s Military Assistance
On May 8–9, 2025,Pakistan deployed 300–400 drones to target Indian military infrastructure across 36 locations, from Leh to Sir Creek. Indian officials, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, confirmed initial forensic analysis identified the drones as Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models, used for surveillance and kamikaze strikes. Sources report two Turkish military operatives were killed during Operation Sindoor, suggesting active coordination with Pakistani forces. Indian intelligence claims Turkish advisors helped plan these attacks, leveraging Turkey’s expertise in drone warfare, notably from Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones supplied to Pakistan since 2021. Turkey’s defense ties with Pakistan, including $5.16 million in arms exports in 2024, have intensified, with joint exercises and training programs.
Context: Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s Response
Operation Sindoor struck terror bases linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, killing over 80 militants in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli. Pakistan, denying involvement in the Pahalgam attack, condemned India’s strikes as a violation of sovereignty. On May 2, a Turkish warship, TCG Büyükada (F-512), docked in Karachi, followed by six Turkish C-130 aircraft landing in late April, sparking speculation of arms deliveries. Turkey denied weapons shipments, claiming the aircraft were for refueling and the warship’s visit was routine. However, the timing, post-Pahalgam, fueled suspicions, especially as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif hours after the attack, pledging solidarity.
Diplomatic and Media Fallout
Turkey’s state-run TRT World amplified Pakistan’s narrative, prompting India to block TRT’s X account on May 8 for spreading disinformation. Erdogan condemned India’s strikes, calling them “provocative” and risking “all-out war,” while supporting Pakistan’s call for a Pahalgam investigation. Indian leaders, including Priyanka Chaturvedi, criticized Turkey’s hypocrisy, citing its history of backing Pakistan on Kashmir.
Skepticism and Broader Implications
Some experts, like Turkish journalist Ragıp Soylu, argue the military visits were routine, part of decades-long Turkey-Pakistan defense cooperation, including joint naval exercises. Unverified X posts claiming Turkish spy satellites or intelligence chiefs aiding Pakistan lack substantiation and may exaggerate Ankara’s role. The conflict, de-escalated by a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10, highlighted Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan, contrasting with Saudi Arabia and UAE’s neutrality. India’s robust response, downing many drones, and its ban on Chinese media like Global Times for similar propaganda underscore a broader push against disinformation. The episode raises questions about Turkey’s NATO obligations and its regional ambitions, potentially complicating India’s ties with Western allies.
-By Manoj H
