Pakistan’s air defense system shot down an Indian drone early Thursday in the eastern city of Lahore, according to Pakistani officials, as India evacuated thousands of people from villages near the two countries' highly militarized frontier in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned drone attacks in Lahore and at other locations. In a statement, she paid tribute to the Pakistan Army for shooting down Indian drones and timely response by police, rescue services and the Pakistan Air Force.

The attack follows a series of drone strikes by Pakistan in Rajasthan and other border areas, leading to heightened security alerts in India’s border regions.