Indian strikes on Pakistan larger & deadlier than what Pakistan has portrayed
According to initial inputs received so far, at least one transport plane of Pakistan has been destroyed, while two other critical aircraft have suffered moderate to severe damage.
New Delhi: Contrary to what the Pakistan military has claimed, the late-night Indian attack on military installations across the border was larger and deadlier, ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the defence establishment said that the Indian missiles that struck inside Pakistan were fired from positions well within the Indian airspace and outside the engagement range of Pakistan's China-supplied air-to-air missiles, demonstrating deep strike capability.
While the sources refused to identify which missiles were used, they said the speed and the manoeuvrability aspect of the missiles ensured that they managed to hit the intended targets with pinpoint precision.
In a late-night statement, the Pakistani military's information wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG, General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, alleged India had targeted the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi district), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot, Jhang district) air bases.
However, the full extent of Indian targets was revealed during a press conference in the morning, held by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
'After Pakistan deliberately targeted air bases, Indian armed forces took a quick and well-planned retaliatory action and targeted technical installations, command and control centres, radar sites and arms stores,' Colonel Qureshi said.
She added that Pakistan military bases at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian were targeted through air launch, precision ammunition and fighter jets.
'Radar site in Pasrur and the aviation base in Sialkot were also targeted with precision ammunition. During these actions, India ensured minimum collateral damage and losses.'
Sources said that the biggest setback for Pakistan took place at the Nur Khan air base, where Squadrons No. 6, 10, 12, and 41 are based. This is a VVIP-cum-transport aircraft base.
The aircraft there include C-130s and Pakistan's only two IL-78 refuellers, besides the Saab Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet.
The other big setback has been at Rahim Yar Khan, where an Indian missile left a huge crater right in the middle of the runway.
Sources said that if India wanted, they could have taken out some of the fighter aircraft standing there, but chose to just hit the runway to give Pakistan a view of their capabilities.
Sources also said that the aim of the loitering munitions and drone strikes that have taken place in the last three days inside Pakistan was not just to disable their air defence locations, but to send them a message by targeting certain locations.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
Also Read: Smoke, shrapnel & debris—in Punjab's Bathinda, Pakistan's attempted attacks leave a trail
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
16 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Jaishankar holds talks with Chinese counterpart, speaks of need for far-seeing approach to bilateral ties
Beijing [China], July 15 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held detailed talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing and spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties. In a post on X, Jaishankar said expressed confidence that ties can develop along a positive trajectory on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. 'Held detailed talks with Politburo Member and FM Wang Yi in Beijing this evening. Spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable & constructive relationship. Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalizing people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures & roadblocks,' he said. 'Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory. Look forward to attending the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin tomorrow. India is committed to ensuring good outcomes and decisions,' he added. In his opening remarks during meeting with Wang Yi, Jaishankar noted that India and China have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalization of bilateral relations due to resolution of friction along the border in eastern Ladakh. He said it is now incumbent on the two sides to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation. He also called for avoiding restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided. Jaishankar, who is in China to attend SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting, said that stable and constructive ties between India and China are not only for mutual benefit, but that of the world as well. 'Our bilateral relationship requires that we take a far-seeing approach to our ties. Since our leaders' meeting in Kazan in October 2024, the India-China relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction. Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum,' he said. 'In recent times, the two of us have had several opportunities to meet at international events and carry out strategic communication. It is our expectation that this will now be regular and take place in each other's countries,' he added. Jaishankar said that this year marks the 75th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China. 'We appreciate that the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra has also resumed after a gap of five years. I thank the Chinese side for their cooperation on this matter,' he said. 'We have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalization of our bilateral relations. It is a result of the resolution of friction along the border and our ability to maintain peace and tranquility there. This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust and for smooth development of bilateral relations. It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation,' he added. India and China reached agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in India-China border areas in Depsang and Demchok on 21 October 2024, leading to disengagement from all the friction points of 2020. Jaishankar said that there are various facets and dimensions of bilateral ties. 'Measures towards normalizing our people - to - people exchanges can certainly foster mutually beneficial cooperation. It is also essential in this context that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided. I hope to discuss these issues in further detail,' he said. The minister called for handling bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and sensitivity. 'Stable and constructive ties between India and China are not only to our benefit, but that of the world as well. This is best done by handling relations on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. We have also earlier agreed that differences should not become disputes, nor should competition ever become conflict. On this foundation, we can now continue to develop our ties along a positive trajectory,' he said. He hoped that zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld at the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting. 'Our meeting today will also include an exchange of views on global and regional issues. Tomorrow, we will be meeting in the format of the SCO, whose primary mandate is to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. This is a shared concern and India hopes that zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld,' he said. 'As Foreign Minister, you have been long responsible for our overall bilateral relations. I am happy to have this in-depth discussion on the state of our ties in an era of profound change. I look forward to a constructive and forward-looking exchange of views,' he added. He wished the Chinese side a successful SCO Presidency. (ANI)
India Gazette
16 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Modi ji has advanced both development and heritage together: Amit Shah
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, on Monday addressed the 63rd Foundation Day celebration of the Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) in New Delhi as the chief guest. Addressing the occasion, Shah said that the 63rd Foundation Day of the Bharat Vikas Parishad is a very important day for those who desire India's development from an Indian perspective. He said that if any organization runs undisputedly for 63 years, it is a significant achievement in itself. He further asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged before the countrymen to make India a Viksit Bharat by the year 2047 and a leader in the world in every field. 'This pledge has imagination and resolve as well as an action plan to prove the pledge,' Shah said. He said that Modi Ji has placed five goals before everyone, which include the goal of a Viksit Bharat, freedom from every form of slavery, pride in our heritage, a sense of unity and solidarity and building a sense of duty among citizens. Shah said that Bharat Vikas Parishad has been working like a 'Sevak' on these five goals for a long time. Amit Shah said that this is the 11th year of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, emphasising, 'Historians will write about these 11 years of Modi Ji's tenure in golden letters.' He said that in the past 11 years, bank accounts of more than 55 crore people were opened, pure drinking water was provided to 15 crore houses, and toilets were constructed in more than 12 crore houses. Shah said that gas cylinders were provided to more than 10 crore houses, and more than four crore people were given their own houses. Crores of loans were given under the Mudra Yojana, out of which two-thirds of the loans were given to women to empower them to connect them with the development of the country. He said that women's power is being promoted through 'Lakhpati Didi'. (ANI)
India Gazette
16 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"We did that through trade": Trump reiterates claim of ending India-Pak conflict
Washington DC [US], July 15 (ANI): US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim on Monday (local time) that he stopped the escalation of the recent India-Pakistan conflict after the Pahalgam terror attack. Trump made these remarks during his meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. 'We have been very successful in settling wars, India, Pakistan... India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. It was going very badly,' Trump stated. He pointed to his strategy of using trade as leverage, stating, 'We did that through trade. I said, we are not going to talk to you about trade, unless you get this thing settled, and they did.' In June, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, 'You know, I did something that people don't talk about, and I don't talk about very much, but we solved a big problem, a nuclear problem potentially with India and with Pakistan.' 'I spoke to Pakistan, I spoke to India, they have really great leaders, but they were going at it, and they could have gone at it nuclear,' he added. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhi's effective response to Islamabad's aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. However, India refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 'As you are aware, we have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian Territory by Pakistan,' the Ministry of External Affairs stated. The MEA further stated that the 'issue of trade' did not come up between Indian and US leaders since the commencement of 'Operation Sindoor' and the cessation of hostilities. 'From the time OPERATION SINDOOR commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions,' MEA further stated. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to a cessation of hostilities following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. (ANI)
