In a swift and high-precision operation that lasted just 23 minutes, the Indian Air Force successfully jammed and bypassed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems during Operation Sindoor. This mission was launched in direct retaliation to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people.
In the early hours of May 7, India executed airstrikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), resulting in the deaths of approximately 100 terrorists. These carefully coordinated strikes also extended to strategic Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan and Rahim Yar Khan, using precision-guided loitering munitions. These are often referred to as ‘suicide drones’ or ‘kamikaze drones’, capable of hovering over a target area before engaging high-value assets.
The Indian Air Force’s targets included enemy radar installations and missile systems. In response, Pakistan attempted to retaliate with a barrage of drones and missile strikes on several Indian military installations. However, the Indian Akash air defence system successfully intercepted and neutralised these threats.
Neutralising Foreign Technology with Indigenous Systems
According to the government, India’s defence forces not only thwarted enemy attacks but also neutralised a range of hostile technologies, leaving behind critical evidence. Recovered debris included parts of PL-15 air-to-air missiles (Chinese origin), Turkish-made Yiha (or Yeehaw) UAVs, long-range rockets, quadcopters, and commercial drones.
This showcased India’s edge in electronic warfare and indigenous air defence technology. The operation demonstrated how Indian systems were capable of overcoming foreign-supplied arms used by Pakistan.
Importantly, the government confirmed that no Indian military assets were lost, emphasizing the success of India’s surveillance, planning, and execution strategies. The mission made significant use of modern indigenous technologies including long-range drones and precision-guided munitions, and was described as both militarily effective and politically calibrated.
Anticipating Retaliation and Preventing Escalation
The Indian forces had anticipated that any response from Pakistan would come across the border, given India’s restraint in not violating the Line of Control (LoC) or International Boundary during its offensive. A layered defence system was activated, combining counter-unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare tools, and a range of air defence weapons to protect Indian territory.
This multi-layered defence strategy was especially effective during the night of May 9–10, when Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks targeting military sites in northern and western India, including cities like Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Bhuj. All threats were successfully neutralised by India’s integrated air defence systems.
Also Read: Turkey backed Pak with drones, operatives in India attack: Source
Deployment of Battle-Proven and Indigenous Defence Systems
As part of Operation Sindoor, India deployed both battle-proven and indigenously developed air defence systems, such as:
- Pechora and OSA-AK missile systems
- LLAD (Low-Level Air Defence) guns
- Akash missile systems
The Akash system, developed domestically, proved highly effective. It features Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) capabilities and is deployed on mobile platforms, capable of engaging multiple targets either in autonomous or coordinated mode.
On May 8, Indian forces also launched further strikes to disable air defence radars inside Pakistan, including a significant system located in Lahore.
A New Milestone in Indigenous Defence Capability
Beyond the tactical success of neutralising enemy threats, Operation Sindoor marked a major step forward in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology. The operation displayed the seamless integration of high-tech indigenous systems across domains—drone warfare, electronic warfare, and multi-tiered air defence.
The mission has been hailed as a milestone in India's evolving military capability and a resounding message of the country’s readiness and resolve in the face of cross-border terrorism and foreign threats.
Also Read: Pak urges India to reconsider Indus Treaty position: Sources
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