In a decisive demonstration of air defense capabilities, the Indian Air Force activated the S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ missile system late on May 7 to intercept and neutralize multiple aerial threats, amid rapidly escalating military tensions with Pakistan.
This activation of the Russian-made long-range air defense system follows Operation Sindoor, initiated by India on May 6, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). This retaliatory operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives, including one Nepali citizen.
Reports indicate that during the night of May 7–8, Pakistani forces launched drones and missiles aimed at key Indian military installations in regions including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, and Amritsar. However, thanks to India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and the S-400 system, these attacks were effectively neutralized. Recovery operations for debris from multiple sites are currently underway.
The S-400 system, capable of a range of up to 400 kilometers and able to track and engage dozens of targets simultaneously, has been operational in three squadrons since 2025. It previously demonstrated its effectiveness during the 2023 Poorvi Akash exercises held near the Chinese border.
Simultaneously, Pakistan has intensified cross-border artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), targeting areas such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri, resulting in the tragic deaths of 16 civilians, including three women and five children.
In response to the escalating situation, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing India’s firm stance against terrorism and its right to defend its territory. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level security meeting to assess the ongoing scenario, garnering support from various political leaders, including Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy.
India asserts that its military actions represent proportional and justified responses to unprovoked aggression and terror activities emanating from across the border. As international observers call for restraint, the deployment of the S-400 system underscores the critical importance of advanced defense infrastructure in safeguarding national security and maintaining regional peace.
