The Indian government has firmly refuted allegations that its advanced S-400 air defense system was damaged during recent conflicts with Pakistan, labeling such reports as “baseless” and a calculated effort to spread misinformation. This statement comes amid days of intensified military activity along the Line of Control (LoC), characterized by cross-border strikes and drone interceptions.
Defense officials confirmed that the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra system was actively deployed in response to a series of Pakistani drone and missile attacks targeting approximately 15 Indian cities during the night of May 7-8. Acquired from Russia in 2018 for $5.43 billion and operational in Punjab since 2021, the system successfully intercepted multiple aerial threats, with debris from these thwarted assaults retrieved as evidence.
These military strikes are part of Operation Sindoor, a strategic initiative launched by India following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The operation has thus far targeted nine locations associated with terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), both of which have been implicated in orchestrating attacks against India. Notably, JeM was responsible for the devastating 2019 Pulwama bombing that resulted in the deaths of 40 Indian security personnel.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that these strikes aim to dismantle terror infrastructure and prevent future incursions. “India is acting in self-defense and in accordance with international law. The objective is to ensure the safety of our citizens and the sovereignty of our territory,” he stated during a press briefing.
Tensions escalated further after India downed a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet near Pampore in Jammu & Kashmir on May 6, following what officials described as a clear attempt to violate Indian airspace. Pakistan acknowledged that Indian missile strikes had affected regions in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur, leading to retaliatory shelling along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri.
In response to the increasing military confrontations, Pakistan is reportedly contemplating suspending its commitments under the 1972 Simla Agreement, which has long governed bilateral relations since the 1971 war. Diplomatic relations between the two nations have also soured, with both countries expelling several staff from their respective missions.
There have been global concerns regarding the efficacy of the S-400 system, particularly following a Ukrainian drone attack that damaged a similar Russian system in Belgorod in 2023. However, Indian defense analysts and officials assert that the S-400 remains resilient, maintaining there is no evidence of compromise during the ongoing engagements.
As the situation along the India-Pakistan border remains fraught with tension, the Indian government has urged citizens to dismiss unverified claims circulating online and to rely solely on official channels for updates. Diplomatic backchannels are reportedly working diligently to prevent further escalation in a region already laden with nuclear implications.
