In Turkey, Indian drones saved lives but Erdogan's UAVs try to kill our civilians and soldiers, says angry social media

The decision of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan-led Turkey to back Islamabad amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan has left many Indian citizens scarred. A Turkish naval ship was sent to Karachi port by Ankara after the country having supported Pakistan through an official statement in the backdrop of 'Operation Sindoor'. Later, debris collected by the Indian armed forces confirmed that Turkish drones had been used by Pakistan to target military and civilian positions across India's border states.

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Many social media users cried foul, accusing Ankara of "repaying" India despite the country having come to its aid when it needed help the most. They were referring to the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes that devastated the country. The calamity claimed 53,537 deaths in Turkey alone. Apart from loss of lives, it is estimated that over a million apartments were destroyed in the country and about 20 per cent of its agriculture production was affected.

New Delhi was one of the first nations to come to Istanbul's aid, sending relief material worth around ₹7 crore to both the countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government launched 'Operation Dost' ('Dost' means friend in Hindi) sending Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster aircraft to Turkey's Adana city carrying medical teams, NDRF squads and equipment, sniffer dog squads and other officers along with the relief materials in batches. “Dost' is a common word in Turkish and Hindi... We have a Turkish proverb: 'Dost kara gnde belli olur' (a friend in need is a friend indeed). Thank you very much India,” Turkish ambassador Firat Sunel had said back then. 

A field hospital were established by the Indian units with facilities like X-ray machines, ventilators, an oxygen generation plant and cardiac monitors. An image of a Turkish woman kissing an Indian medical personnel goodbye on the latter's return to New Delhi on  February 20 2023 had gone viral globally. 

Interestingly, India had provided Ankara with the indigenous 'Droni' drones to detect survivors still remaining under the rubble in the worst-hit areas. Modified 'Kisan' drones were used to distribute medications, food, and supplies to the affected. 

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Now, Erdoğan has "repaid" by handing Pakistan his state-of-the-art Songar and Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones to attack India, social media pointed out.  "When Turkey was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2023, India started 'Operation Dost' and provided all possible assistance including aid, National Disaster Response Force and sent drones to rescue the people trapped under the rubble. We even modified Kisan drones to carry medicine and food.    

"However, the ungrateful country stabbed India as drones manufactured by Tehran was a part of Pakistan flock used against India. Nation comes first and therefore I demand that India should immediately ban import of Apple and other goods from Turkey," All India Congress Committee spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore said in a statement.

Many netizens posted images of 'Operation Dost' and the debris of Turkish arms launched by Pakistan to make their case.