Turkish Kamikaze Drone Shot Down by India: Inside the YIHA-III from Operation Sindoor

On Monday, NDTV received exclusive access to a weaponized drone that was part of hundreds launched by Pakistan at Indian military installations and civilian settlements during Operation Sindoor in May. The drone was dismantled and exhibited at Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi's Delhi residence.

The exhibition, which featured additional Indian Army memorabilia, was organized to commemorate Vijay Diwas.

Following India's strike on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 8, which was a response to the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan retaliated by launching hundreds of armed drones targeting 36 towns and cities across Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab.

Among these drones was a YIHA-III, a type of 'kamikaze' or 'suicide drone' developed through Turkey-Pakistan collaboration, which Pakistan extensively deployed during Operation Sindoor.

The term 'kamikaze' refers to weapon systems capable of hovering over or circling designated areas to identify suitable targets before executing suicide attacks. However, India's sophisticated multi-layered missile defense system successfully intercepted nearly all these drones.

The specific YIHA-III drone displayed at the Army Chief's residence was flying at an altitude of 2,000 meters when it was shot down on May 10. Launched from Lahore International Airport and carrying approximately 10kg of munitions, its intended target was the Indian Air Force base in Punjab's Hoshiarpur, according to officials.

The drone never reached its target, as it was intercepted and shot down over Amritsar.

Indian Army cyber experts have since disassembled the drone and analyzed its components, including the flight control system, to determine its origin and intended target.

Reports indicated that the Pakistani military also deployed Turkish-made 'Songar' armed drones, with all five variants manufactured by Ankara-based defense company Asisguard.

The five Songar variants are distinguished by their weaponry: a 5.56 x 45 mm assault rifle, 2 x 40 mm grenade launcher, 6 x 40 drum-type grenade launcher, and 3 x 81 mm mortar gripper. The non-lethal version is capable of carrying eight tear gas canisters.