New Delhi [India]: In response to the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which targeted Indian civilians based on their religion, India launched a powerful retaliatory operation against Pakistani terror infrastructure, marking one of the most audacious military offensives in South Asian history.
On May 7, India initiated Operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes on terror camps in Muridke and Bahawalpur—both known hubs for anti-India terrorist operations.
What followed on the night of May 9–10 was a tactically unprecedented air campaign, as Indian Air Force (IAF) assets—coordinating with other branches of the armed forces—struck 11 out of 12 Pakistani Air Force bases across the country. The campaign also crippled multiple Chinese-supported air defence systems deployed by Pakistan.
According to senior defence sources who spoke to ANI on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the operation, the Indian response was calculated and overwhelming.
Use of BrahMos and Scalp Missiles
The IAF deployed its most advanced tactical weapons, including:
- 15 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, and
- Scalp missiles mounted on Rafale jets
to target and disrupt the operational readiness of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
“The aim was to disrupt their ability to launch aircraft and conduct operations,” a senior defence official stated.
Tactical Deception and Air Defence Suppression
The operation began by deploying dummy pilotless aircraft, camouflaged to mimic fighter jets on Pakistani radar. This deceptive maneuver triggered Pakistan’s air defence systems.
Once Pakistan’s air defence radar and command infrastructure became active, Indian forces launched Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions, designed to hunt and destroy radar sites. This was followed by long-range missile salvos, including:
- Rampage
- Crystal Maze
- Additional Scalp and BrahMos missiles
Pakistan’s Defensive Collapse
The Pakistan Air Force mobilized its HQ-9 missile systems and repositioned them across new locations—but many were quickly detected and targeted. The S-400, MRSAM, and Akash missile defence systems operated by India successfully neutralized multiple incoming threats from Pakistan, including:
- Land-attack ballistic missiles
- Air-launched cruise missiles
- Armed UAVs
The intensity of India’s strikes forced Pakistan to relocate its aircraft to rear airbases. Sources indicate Pakistan may have suffered serious losses, including:
- Long-endurance UAVs
- Possibly an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, destroyed during a missile strike on a hangar in Sindh province
First Combat Use of BrahMos
This marks the first operational use of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in live combat, demonstrating its precision and destructive power.
“The strikes were so intense that Pakistan dropped all plans for retaliation,” a defence source told media.
Following the attack, Pakistan urgently sought Director-General Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks with India, requesting a pause in hostilities and an understanding to de-escalate the conflict.