The S-400 air defence system was the star of Operation Sindoor, taking part in a serious function in countering Pakistan’s aerial threats. Now, Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) has revealed that Pakistan was so determined to find these S-400 methods that it activated spies and sleeper cells inside India during the May 2025 hostilities. In an interview with ANI, Mishra, the chief of the Western Air Command throughout Sindoor, stated that as a result of S-400s, Pakistan’s fighter jets couldn’t come inside 200 km of the Indian border.
The revelations on Operation Sindoor by Mishra, who was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, are probably the most in depth thus far. In response to the Air Marshal, the Russian-made S-400 system emerged as the most important menace to Pakistan’s air operations throughout the battle. It compelled Pakistan to make use of all of the methods within the e-book, Mishra stated.
‘S-400 BECAME PAKISTAN’S BIGGEST THREAT’
“Pakistanis have been determined to seek out the place these S-400s have been. They used each accessible means. They have been additionally getting satellite tv for pc assist from different nations,” the Air Marshal stated. Though Mishra stopped wanting naming the nations, an Military official beforehand confirmed that China was offering real-time intel inputs to its ‘all-weather pal’ Pakistan.
“Each time they (Pakistan) acquired airborne, they have been shot by an S-400. The S-400 was the most important menace so far as they have been involved. Additionally they activated spies and sleeper cells inside India to seek out out the place the S-400s have been situated,” the Air Marshal revealed.
The S-400, dubbed India’s Sudarshan Chakra, is a surface-to-air missile system that may be a essential cog within the nation’s air defence. With superior radar and interception capabilities, the S-400 can spot and shoot down aerial threats from distant.
In 2018, India and Russia signed an settlement for 5 S-400 methods. Three have already been delivered and inducted into the IAF. A fourth squadron was obtained in June this 12 months.
‘MILITARY FACED NOT A SINGLE RESTRICTION’
India launched Operation Sindoor as a retaliation to the Pahalgam terror assault, which left 25 vacationers useless. The Air Marshal stated that whereas the navy was given “operational freedom”, the path from the federal government was to keep away from civilian casualties.
“The path was there ought to be no collateral. We do not need widespread residents to be affected. Solely terrorists and their handlers are to be punished. We’re not a war-mongering state,” Jeetendra Mishra stated.
In the identical vein, he added, “There was not a single restriction. It was left to the navy to resolve methods to combat the warfare.” The comment is essential, because the opposition has repeatedly alleged that the federal government tied the palms of the armed forces.
Mishra stated issues may have ended after India struck 9 terror camps, together with these of Jaish and Lashkar, on Could 7, however Pakistan selected to escalate.
Pakistan initially launched 14-15 drones concentrating on the Adampur air station. Nevertheless, all of them have been neutralised. On Could 9, nonetheless, Pakistan launched tons of of drones and missiles.
Mishra revealed that one long-range, GPS-guided drone hit a hospital on the air pressure station and a civilian workplace situated subsequent to it. “I misplaced one airman, and one particular person misplaced his arm. He was amputated. They have been medical assistants,” he stated.
Pakistani forces additionally tried to focus on civilian areas and locations of worship, together with gurdwaras. It was then determined that India wouldn’t take it mendacity down and would retaliate.
HOW PAKISTAN GOT BLINDED AND PARALYSED?
Mishra stated the IAF first dismantled Pakistan’s means to detect and coordinate its air operations by concentrating on ground-based radars and command-and-control centres.
“We destroyed all their radars, together with American AN/TPS sequence ones in Punjab. We additionally acquired two of their command and management centres. So, they have been blinded,” he stated.
With ground-based radars destroyed, the Pakistani forces grew to become more and more depending on airborne platforms, or AWACS. An AWACS plane was deployed from Sargodha, nevertheless it was shot down by an S-400.
“The one approach they may see was by means of an airborne radar. My S-400 operator requested me if he may shoot. I stated shoot. And when he shot, we acquired it at 314 km,” Mishra stated. It marked the longest surface-to-air kill in navy historical past.
The Air Marshal stated it mainly altered the steadiness of the battle. “India may hit anyplace in Pakistan, and Pakistan may do nothing about it,” Mishra stated.
The day of reckoning for Pakistan got here on May 10 as India struck 11 military stations, together with important bases like Nur Khan and Bholari. Hours later, Pakistan scurried for a ceasefire, ending three days of intense hostilities.
The previous Western Command chief additionally revealed that girls fighter pilots performed a major function within the operation, flying a number of fight missions.
“Ladies pilots did multiple mission. They struck LeT’s Muridke headquarters, and the identical pilots went again and hit airbases and the command and management centres on Could 10,” Mishra revealed.
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