On Thursday, May 8, a serious security incident occurred near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium just hours before a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings. A drone, allegedly of Indian origin, reportedly crashed into a shop in the nearby Food Street area. The crash resulted in significant property damage and left several civilians injured, triggering panic in the vicinity.
According to local media reports in Pakistan, the drone collided with a tree before plummeting into a store, smashing windows and causing injuries to a few bystanders who were later hospitalized. The proximity of the incident to the stadium, coupled with the timing just ahead of a major PSL match, raised alarms about player and public safety. The situation quickly attracted the attention of national security forces.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), stated that multiple Indian drones had been intercepted and shot down across various Pakistani cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Gujranwala.
He also confirmed injuries to Pakistani Army personnel and the death of one civilian in Sindh due to the drone-related incidents. Pakistan’s military swiftly sealed off the crash site near the stadium and collected the drone wreckage for investigation.
The Indian government, however, has firmly denied Pakistan’s claims, calling them baseless. Despite the denial, the Pakistani authorities responded by increasing security measures in several cities. The DG ISPR also claimed that retaliatory action resulted in significant losses for Indian troops along the Line of Control (LoC), although these claims remain unverified by independent sources.
In light of the drone incident and the resulting security risks, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held an emergency meeting and decided to shift the remainder of the PSL 2025 matches from Rawalpindi to Karachi.
🚨 Breaking News 🇮🇳
— desi sigma (@desisigma) May 8, 2025
An Indian drone has struck Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, causing significant disruption ahead of tonight’s scheduled PSL match between Peshawar and Karachi.
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The May 8 clash between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi was also relocated to Karachi. The future of the tournament now depends heavily on how the security situation evolves, with all upcoming matches to be held under tight protection in Karachi.