Last two weeks were the kind of times when nations are tested. The barbaric terrorist attack at Pahalgam on 22nd April 2025 shook the conscience of every Indian. However, what unfolded in response to it was not a country gripped by chaos, fear or “the spirit of moving on”. As India launched Operation Sindoor, a calibrated military response to Pahalgam terrorist attack, India did not lose its nerve even for a moment.
The streets stayed calm. The markets, even in the tense regions, stayed open. There was no mad rush to stockpile or hoard, none. Indians, in their own uncomplaining way, showed the world what faith in their armed forces and strong leadership looks like.
Indians stood united and calm in the face of provocation
In the past, we have seen how global markets and civilian population react when there is even a hint of military escalation. However, things were completely different in India in the days following Operation Sindoor. As the news spread of India’s decisive air and ground strikes deep into Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), there were no protests, no panic calls, and certainly no disorder.
An opposite picture was seen in the videos coming from Pakistan where many people, especially those affiliated with Imran Khan’s political party PTI, came out on to the streets protesting against their government and armed forces.
3 Front War for PAKISTAN ARMY….
1) Indian armed forces 2) Baluchistan liberation Army
Contrary to it, the mood across India was steady. Everyone showed faith that the country was in safe hands. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Indians knew the armed forces would handle the situation with the precision and resolve they are known for, and the armed forces did not disappoint.
Swift security measures ensured stability
It would be naïve to think that Indian security agencies did not anticipate the risks that follow counter-terrorism strikes in Pakistan and PoJK. Several airports, including the ones in Punjab and Jammu were temporarily shut down. Some border districts were placed under controlled blackouts. These decisions were reactive and pro-active at the same time. The government had already announced mock drills and preparatory blackout practices in several districts a couple of days before initiating Operation Sindoor hinting something big was inevitable. Every agency worked under clear political direction and every step was taken as precaution without causing any panic.
The exemplary public response – no hoarding, no panic buying
One of the first things general public does at the time when there is a possibility of military escalation between two countries is to stockpile essentials. It creates a vicious circle of hoarding and panic buying resulting in unprecedented shortage of items that almost never go off the shelves. However, in the case of India, especially the border districts, it was different. Not to forget, Europeans were seen hoarding food when conflict started between Russia and Ukraine.
It was the time when one of the most inspiring chapter of this period was written by ordinary citizens. Chandigarh, for example, saw a tsunami of thousands of young volunteers quietly report for duty on a single call by the administration. They were all ready to assist the local authorities in preprations and helping them wherever and whenever required.
Even in border villages, instead of rushing to flee or creating an exodus situation, villagers cooperated with local security forces, followed instructions, and remained composed. There was no surge in petrol queues, no emptying of grocery shelves, no reports of black market rates for essentials. Not even the slightest hint of the ‘panic buying’ one expects when nations stare at the possibility of conflict. In short, no one, not even a single person, pressed the panic button. Let’s point out here as well that when Russia-Ukraine conflict started, massive exodus resulted in refugee influx across nations that were welcoming Ukrainians running away from the conflict.
The faith in armed forces and Modi’s leadership prevailed
One may ask why the situation was different in India? The answer is simple. It was the deep-rooted faith that if anyone dares to attack India, the Indian armed forces back by the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will take care of it.
PM Modi has a past track record of decisiveness. His strong presence coupled with India’s evolving defence might gave Indians the rare luxury of not having to worry. Even where blackouts and closures were enforced, the public did not indulge in panic buying. They workers on their usual schedule and themselves followed the guidelines of early closure of businesses and blackouts. They stayed indoors, cooperated fully, and trusted that these were only protective measures that the government was taking for the safety of every citizen.
A small section of people might have expected mayhem. However, what happened was the exact opposite. This was a new India that is aware, prepared, but not provoked into self-destruction hysteria. So much so, that when ceasefire was announced, many of the Indians were disappointed rather than feeling relieved.
Conclusion
When history will be written, this phase will stand out as an example of the extraordinary bond between a nation and its armed forces. In times when the first casuality of conflict is often public order, Indians remained calm and displayed remarkable restraint. They sent out a loud and clear message, “we trust our forces and we trust our leader”.
Operation Sindoor was not just about military might. It was about showing the world how India remains disciplined, united and above all, trustful in the leadership. In the worst times, Indians showed the best of the character showcasing if, God forbids, full-fledged war happens with Pakistan, the citizens will play a crucial role in winning it.
India’s Operation Sindoor demonstrated the country’s military might, tactical prowess, and technical brilliance before the world. With its integrated network of air defence systems, the Indian Armed Forces protected military bases and strategic assets, while Pakistani forces, being cowards of the top order, launched drones, missiles and rockets against Indian civilians and military assets, even as India’s precision strikes specifically targeted terror camps.
On the 8th of May, Pakistan targeted many Indian cities, including Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, and Jaisalmer. It fired drone swarms at these cities. Pakistan wanted to harm India’s military bases and residential areas and overwhelm the air defence systems, a tactic often used by Hamas against Israel. India gave a befitting reply to this, they foiled all these attacks. India used its advanced defence systems for this. While the S-400 system purchased from Russia foiled many attacks, most of them were answered by Indian systems.
Akashteer system: India’s indigenously developed ADCRS
The Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting response to the Pakistani attack and unleashed India’s very own “Iron Dome” Akashteer Air Defence System (ADS) along with S-400 Sudarshan Chakra ADS to foil Pakistani plans of targeting Indian civilians. The Akashteer system has been deployed on the western front to form an advanced shield over the International Border (IB) and LoC. This air defence system integrates inputs from radar sources like early-warning systems and ground-based radars to render a live web of real-time data to precisely track aerial threats. With the Akashteer system’s help, Indian forces intercepted and neutralised each and every missile launched by Pakistan towards India.
With its phased induction in the Indian Army beginning in 2024, the Akashteer system is an advanced Air Defence Control and Reporting System (ADCRS) developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the Indian Army. In forward combat zones, it is intended to oversee ground-based air defence weaponry and oversee low-level airspace monitoring. It serves as India’s air defence network’s digital nerve centre, gathering data from various radars and sensors, such as AWACS and AEW&C platforms, and combining it into a unified operational picture. This allows for automated, real-time engagement decisions.
Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) /D-4 Anti-Drone systems developed by DRDO responded to Pakistani drones
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the D4 Anti-Drone Systems is an indigenously developed drone detection and neutralisation system. The Indian forces used these to thwart Pakistani drone attacks during the conflict.
India’s C-UAS system, image via Economic Times
The Indian Air Force used a combination of anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles along with an integrated counter-UAS grid to take down Pakistani projectiles. The integrated counter-UAS grid was used to counter unmanned aircraft systems and neutralise drones and other incoming threats like missiles launched by Pakistan. This grid utilises multiple technologies, including radar and radio frequency sensors, to locate, identify, and track potential airspace threats. Once a threat is detected, the system can deploy various non-explosive countermeasures, like jamming radio signals and explosive countermeasures like firing an interceptor projectile. India used C-UAS against Pakistan in the last two attacks.
Akash Missile System
Developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the Akash Missile System is a medium-range-surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept and destroy various aerial threats like fighter jets, drones, and cruise missiles, with a range of 25-30 km and the ability to engage the targets at the altitude of over 20 km. This system is equipped with indigenous Rajendra radar and mobile launchers. It can not only track but also neutralise multiple targets simultaneously. An effective demonstration of the same was seen in India’s counter against Pakistan’s recent drone and missile attacks against Indian cities, religious sites and military infrastructure. Akash Missile System is fully operational in the Indian Army and Air Force. It is highly mobile and can be deployed on wheeled or tracked vehicles for rapid response.
Image via ANI
Akash system’s development has a story of its own. Recently, the former DRDO scientist Dr Prahlada Ramarao, the man who led the Akash system’s development, said that initially, the Indian Army had reservations about the system. However, Ramarao, the man chosen by none other than India’s “Missile Man”, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, went ahead and designed the Akash system.
‘Happiest moment…’: Former DRDO scientist Dr Prahlada Ramarao, the man behind Akash system (a surface-to-air system designed to engage multiple targets simultaneously), speaks to Republic
“Initially, the Indian Army showed no interest in Akash. But we designed it to intercept high-speed threats like drones, missiles, helicopters, and even supersonic F-16 fighter jets flown by Pakistani pilots,” Dr Ramarao said in a television interview and expressed his joy over the success of his lifetime’s hardwork saying that “This is the happiest day of my life… to see the missile I helped build strike enemy aerial targets with such precision and elegance.”
It is essential to note here that Akashteer and Akash Missile System are complementary yet distinct components of India’s air defence system. Akashteer is an integrated air defence command and control system which coordinates with various air defence assets including Akash MRSAM by providing real-time situational awareness, automated threat prioritisation and data fusion from radars and sensors. Akashteer enables more efficient and faster responses using systems like Akash with others including Barak-8 or S-400 to create a multi-layered air defence.
Next Generation Akash missile successfully flight tested from ITR , Chandipur off the coast of Odisha today at 10:30hrs against a high speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. @DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoDpic.twitter.com/ShRNi4dfAj
Working in tandem, Akash MRSAM delivers the firepower to eliminate threats physically and Akashteer acts as the brain optimising target allocation and reducing reaction times. Aligning with India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, these indigenously developed systems enhance India’s air defence capabilities, making revolutionising networked warfare.
BrahMos: The invincible
India reportedly launched its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in a live battle for the first time as it carried out pinpoint strikes on Pakistani military installations, in the wee hours of 10th May. The Indian Air Force retaliated against attempts to violate the country’s airspace by targeting a number of key facilities deep into Pakistan, including Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian. The airfields in Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad and Sargodha were reported to have sustained more damage. Sialkot and Pasrur radar locations were also hit. Several accounts indicate that the BrahMos missile was probably one of the weapons used in tandem with Scalp and Hammer munitions.
Jointly developed by India and Russia, this long-range supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, is an unmanned payload rocket that has a warhead, precision-guided weaponry, an aerodynamic frame, a propulsion system and a guidance system. It is renowned for its exceptional accuracy. BrahMos has a solid propellant booster engine and is a two-stage missile. Its initial phase accelerates the missile over the speed of sound, or supersonic speed, before it separates. BrahMos is a combination of the initial syllables of the names of two major rivers: the Brahmaputra in India and the Moskva in Russia.
MRSAM Missile System
India has also used the MRSAM system in this attack. This is also a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, but it is capable of hitting a longer distance than the AKASH system. This has also been developed by DRDO. It has been made in collaboration with Israel. MRSAM consists of supersonic missiles. It is capable of hitting targets at a range of about 70 kilometres. MRSAM is currently used by the Indian Air Force and Navy. MRSAM can be mounted on trucks and is also installed on ships. Reports suggest that it has also been deployed at Indian Air Force bases.
The MRSAM system covers an area of about 2000 kilometres and immediately blows up any aerial threat coming in it. According to reports, MRSAM has also been used in this attack. MRSAM was inducted into the Air Force in 2021. Work is currently underway to further develop MRSAM.
Nagastra-1 loitering munition, SkyStriker loitering munition, and Pinaka Multi-Barrel rocket launcher: India’s diverse defence system used in Operation Sindoor
The Indian Armed Forces also used the Nagastra-1 man-portable loitering munition which is a suicide drone. Developed by Solar Industries with DRDO oversight, Nagastra-1 has a range of 15 to 20 km. It has an endurance of up to 60 minutes with a 1-2 kg warhead for precision strikes. Unlike traditional missiles, Nagastra-1 can be aborted mid-flight and recovered. In Operation Sindoor, this cost-effective loitering munition was used to target terrorist infrastructures deep inside Pakistan. Nagastra-1’s success demonstrates India’s surging expertise in low-cost, precision-guided munitions for asymmetric warfare.
Infographic via TNPSC CA
L-70 anti-aircraft gun
Apart from these missile systems, India also used L-70 anti-aircraft guns on a large scale to shoot down Pakistani drones. It was made by Sweden’s Bofors company and is manufactured in India by Larsen & Toubro. India has 1000 such anti-aircraft guns.
India has also strengthened them on many other technical fronts, including radar. The L-70 anti-aircraft gun is now capable of thwarting drone attacks on a large scale. It has a range of about 4 kilometres. It not only shoots down enemy drones by firing at them but also jams them.
India has deployed L-70 at many places in Jammu and Kashmir, north-eastern states and along the international border. Videos of L-70 shooting down several drones have also gone viral on social media. Many experts have said that most of the attacks on Jammu have been foiled by this anti-aircraft gun.
Apart from these Indian systems, India has used many similar air defence technologies against Pakistan, including Shilka, ZU-23 and S-400. Due to this, Pakistan has not been able to cause any damage to Indian cities. However, Lahore’s air defence has been destroyed in the attacks carried out by India.
Indigenous weapons: India’s necessity and pride
The immense success of Akash, BraMos, C-UAS and other indigenous systems gives a major boost to the Indian defence sector and bolsters confidence in the capabilities of native manufacturers to increase self-reliance in the defence arena. With indigenous defence systems outclassing Chinese and Turkish technology, as seen in Operation Sindoor, these systems would play a significant role in curbing India’s dependence on foreign suppliers. This self-reliance would not only save costs but also enhance strategic autonomy, which is at the core of India’s foreign policy under the Modi government. Indigenous systems are also vital as they are tailored to India’s unique security challenges like asymmetric threats and high-altitude warfare.
Interestingly, Operation Sindoor not only exposed how shallow and incompetent the Pakistani Armed Forces are but also exposed the effectiveness of Chinese air defence systems like HQ-9 as it failed to stop India’s precision strikes against Pakistan. With India proving the mettle of its indigenously developed weapons and defence systems, rendering Chinese and Turkish technology ineffective, global interest is shifting towards India’s defence sector. Combat-proven BrahMos and Akash systems are attracting global interest.
As per DRDO chairperson Samir V Kamat, BrahMos has intrigued many countries, including Indonesia. “Indonesia is interested…There are other countries also that have shown interest in Brahmos…Some countries in the Middle East and some other countries in Southeast Asia,” Kamat said.
The DRDO’s focus on developing next-generation systems like Akash-NG, BrahMos-II hypersonic missiles, among others, demonstrates that India is committed to remaining at the forefront of defence innovation. While this is not without challenges, India has sent a global message with its successful Operation Sindoor that the country is not going to tolerate Pakistani-sponsored Islamic terrorism anymore and would take decisive military action against terrorists, their funders, supporters and enablers. India’s defence system’s outperformance of Chinese and Turkish weapons has also positioned India as a key challenge to China’s dominance in the global arms market.
The effectiveness of the Akash system, Akashteer, D-4 C-UAS, BrahMos, and other indigenously developed defence systems exemplifies the success of the Make in India initiative. These systems essentially demonstrated reliability, precision, and combat effectiveness required to neutralise threats and strike terrorist targets with little to no collateral damage. The success of India’s very own defence technology in hammering the enemy and protecting Indians is a matter of national pride and establishes India as a credible player in the global arms market. With India continuing to innovate and scale production, the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in the defence arena is transforming the country into a self-reliant military powerhouse.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists, tensions between India and Pakistan rapidly escalated. In response, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ to target the terror infrastructure inside Pakistan. After being stunned by India’s attack, Pakistan tried to send hundreds of drones and missiles into India, but failed to make any impact when faced with India’s Air Defence Systems. Eventually, a ceasefire was agreed upon after India hit 11 Pakistani air bases, including their key base in Rawalpindi.
One of the most glaringly visible outcomes of the short conflict was, the gulf between the quality of weapons being used by the two countries. While India could thwart the drone attacks by Pakistani through a combination of its indigenous weapons and S-400 bought from Russia, Pakistan’s China manufactured systems proved to be a dud as Indian drones and missiles entered Pakistan at will and hit their targets.
Notably, Pakistan is almost completely reliant on China for arms and ammunitions, with over 80% of Pakistan’s defence procurement being from China over the last 5 years. For China as well, Pakistan is the key customer, with over 60% of China’s defence exports being to Pakistan.
Most of the major Chinese defence systems have not been battle tested. WHile they have taken part in several defence exercises, Chinese systems have never been tested in active combat. This was the first time when most of these systems were getting tested in a hot zone, and when faced with Indian technology and weapons, Chinese systems ended up being decisively second best.
The embarrassment for China started right on the day when India launched Operation Sindoor as HQ-9B, marketed as a Patriot equivalent, and the HQ-16, failed to intercept Indian SCALP stealth cruise missiles and HAMMER glide bombs. Notably, Pakistan’s airspace was supposedly guarded by the HQ-9 and LY-80 (HQ-16) air defence systems—Chinese-made platforms often paraded by Islamabad as state-of-the-art solutions against aerial threats. The HQ-9, modeled after Russia’s S-300, is marketed as capable of detecting and neutralizing threats mid-air. Yet, during Operation Sindoor, these systems neither saw the missiles coming nor reacted when they did.
Chinese air defence system failed to intercept Indian missiles fired into Pakistan (Image Source: Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance)
India’s use of advanced electronic warfare techniques—including decoys, signal suppression, and radar jamming—turned Pakistan’s air defence grid into a sitting duck. In the seconds it took for Indian missiles to obliterate high-value terrorist targets in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli, Pakistan’s multi-billion-dollar missile shield stood frozen—useless, blind, and humiliated.
The difference in the quality of Air Defence Systems of the two countries during Operation Sindoor was as wide as the Grand Canyon. While India used indigenous Akashteer Air Defence system, MRSAM, UAS, L-70 Anti aircraft guns along with S-400, Pakistan was totally reliant on the Chinese systems which totally betrayed them in combat. Notably, Pakistan is totally reliant on China for all its defence needs, and China keeps supplying Pakistan untested and even outdated technology, and Pakistan keeps buying it as they have no other option.
Akashteer is an indigenous Air Defence System – Image Source: CivicsDaily
Pakistani Air Force is also heavily reliant on China with JF-17 and J10-C among their most advanced planes. Both the aircrafts were used during the conflict with India along with the American F-16s. However, even the Chinese fighter jets proved to be ineffective when it came to stopping Indian attack. India hit air bases all across Pakistan at will while their Air Force kept scrambling. Even when they tried to attack Indian territory, every attack was easily thwarted by Indian technology.
For drones, Pakistan trusted its other friend Turkey, not that the outcome was any different. Indian Air Defence Systems successfully brought down the hundreds of drones launched by Pakistan towards India.
India and Pakistan may have reached a ceasefire but the biggest loser in the conflict turned out to be China. It totally exposed Chinese defence technology and showed that the dragon isn’t all that it has been hyped up to be. Operation Sindoor has delivered a resounding blow to the credibility of Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems and, by extension, to Beijing’s claims of military superiority.
China even tried to promote Pakistan’s fake news that it has shot down 5 Indian jets using Chinese fighter planes. Alas, that fake news fizzled out soon as nobody could find any such plane that has been shot down by Pakistan.
Chinese economic heft is undeniable, but from the evidence seen, looks like their military technology has a long way to go before it can be considered among the best in the world. However, unfortunately for Pakistan, with no domestic defence industry, they have to make do with this Chinese technology for now.
India reportedly launched its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in live battle for the first time as it carried out pinpoint strikes on Pakistani military installations, in the wee hours of 10th May. According to reports, the Indian Air Force retaliated against attempts to violate the country’s airspace by targeting a number of key facilities deep into Pakistan, including Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian air bases.
The airfields in Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad and Sargodha reportedly sustained heavy damages. Sialkot and Pasrur radar locations were also hit. Several accounts indicate that the BrahMos missile was probably one of the weapons used in tandem with SCALP and Hammer munitions.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow. (Source: @myogiadityanath/X)
Furthermore, on 11th May, Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, revealed that during “Operation Sindoor” a BrahMos missile was utilized in strikes against Pakistan, at the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility’s opening ceremony in Lucknow. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was probably deployed for the first time in combat after it underwent successful testing on 12th June 2001.
What is BrahMos
The long-range supersonic cruise missile BrahMos is an unmanned payload rocket that has a warhead, precision-guided weaponry, an aerodynamic frame, a propulsion system and a guidance system. It is renowned for its exceptional accuracy. BrahMos has a solid propellant booster engine and is a two-stage missile. Its initial phase accelerates the missile over the speed of sound, or supersonic speed, before it separates.
A rare picture of BrahMos missile in action just before it hits target. (Source: Swarajya)
The missile is then propelled to three times the speed of sound during its cruise phase by the second stage of the liquid ramjet. An air-breathing jet engine that employs liquid fuel that is injected into the fast-moving airstream and ignited to create thrust is called a liquid ramjet.
It follows the “Fire and Forget Principle” and takes a number of different routes to reach its destination. “Fire and forget” missiles are guided weapons that, once launched, don’t need any additional input or control. Its high impact kinetic energy increases its destructive capability. The first stage of the two-stage missile’s solid propellant booster accelerates it to supersonic speed before separating. During the cruise phase, the missile is propelled to speeds that are close to Mach 3 by the liquid ramjet engine in the second stage.
The missile is built for accuracy and durability, incorporating stealth technology and a sophisticated guidance system with embedded software. BrahMos continues to fly at supersonic speed up to 290 kilometers of range. It guarantees shorter flight times, more accurate targets and less opportunities for current defense systems to intercept it. It could land at as low as 10 meters and cruise at as much as 15 kilometers. Its tremendous impact force is supported by a substantial amount of kinetic energy. A conventional warhead weighing 200-300 kilograms is carried by the missile.
Cruise missiles, such as the BrahMos, are classified as “stand-off range weapons” because they are fired from a distance that enables the attacker to avoid the enemy’s defensive fire. The majority of the world’s major armies have these weapons. The BrahMos is the first known operational supersonic cruise missile.
History of BrahMos
India’s ambitious Integrated Guided Missile Development Program was started in 1983. During the program, led by former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Indian rocket scientists and engineers created the ballistic missiles Prithvi and Agni, which currently contribute to the nation’s nuclear-missile defense. However, post-Cold War conflicts, particularly the Gulf War, highlighted the necessity of cruise missiles as an addition to the ballistic missile arsenal.
The Indian Navy was acutely aware of the requirement. Achieving military and technological dominance in the Indian Ocean was a vital objective for a fast developing naval force like India. At that time, India’s long-standing friendship with Russia took center stage in the development of the new missile system without shattering the delicate balance of the non-alignment policy.
An agreement to establish the BrahMos Private Limited joint venture was signed by the governments of India and Russia on 12th February 1998 under Inder Kumar Gujral government who served briefly as the prime minister. BrahMos is a combination of the initial syllables of the names of two major rivers, the Brahmaputra in India and Moskva in Russia.
An Intergovernmental Agreement was signed between Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia and India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) which formed a cooperative venture to develop this missile system and established the BrahMos Private Limited (BAPL).
Image via Hindustan Times
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, prominent Indian rocket scientist who was then in charge of the DRDO signed the deal on behalf of India. It was founded with $250 million in authorized capital, which is more than ₹2,135 crore in today’s currency. 50.5% of the authorized money for the development came from India, with the remaining 49.5% being provided by Russia in 1998.
On 9th July 1999, the first contract for the BrahMos project was signed, during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Russian and Indian governments gave the corporation $123.75 million and $126.25 million, respectively. The project started that year in multiple DRDO and NPOM specialist labs.
BrahMos conducted the first test launch from a fixed launcher at a shooting range on the Chandipur coast on 12th June 2001. The BrahMos missile made its debut at the MAKS (Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon) 2001 international airshow in Moscow in August 2001. The missile’s first test launch from a ship took place in the Bay of Bengal in 2003. It was followed in 2004 by the first test launch from a mobile ground launcher.
As India’s Defense Minister from 1998 to 2004, George Fernandes was also instrumental in the production and deployment of the BrahMos missile under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Indian military ordered BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles between 2006 and 2009. The missile was successfully launched from INS Ranvir in a vertical configuration for the first time in 2008. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh oversaw the missile’s introduction into the Indian Navy in 2005, the Indian Army in 2007, as well as the air-launched version in 2012.
The many variants of BrahMos
The Ship-based variant: BrahMos, which can reach sea-based targets outside of radar’s horizon, were first deployed by the Indian Navy on its frontline warships in 2005. The first ship to use a BrahMos was the Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Rajput and additional vessels have since used it. The naval variant can be launched from both stationary and mobile naval platforms as well as can be fired vertically or inclinedly. It has repeatedly proved successful in both sea-to-land and sea-to-sea modes.
The BrahMos can be launched from ships in a salvo of up to eight or as a single missile, with an interval of two and a half seconds. A group of frigates equipped with contemporary missile defense systems can be attacked and destroyed by these salvos. BrahMos greatly improves the ability to engage naval surface targets at long range and is a “prime strike weapon” for such objectives.
The land-based system: The land-based BrahMos Complex features four to six transportable autonomous launchers. Three missiles that might be fired nearly simultaneously against three distinct targets in three different configurations are handled by each launcher. BrahMos systems have been installed in several locations along India’s land borders. The Indian Army operationalized the BrahMos ground attack version in 2007. An air-conditioned compartment with Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protection is part of its ground systems.
Three distinct missile configurations have been deployed: Block I, which can hit targets accurately; Block II, which can descend supersonic and discriminate targets and Block III, which can engage targets in mountains.
The air-launched version: BrahMos has undergone multiple successful flight tests since its initial successful flight from IAF frontline fighter aircraft against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal in November 2017. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, India’s front-line fighter jet, is equipped with the heaviest missile, the BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM).
2019 witnessed BrahMos ALCM test its land assault and anti-ship capabilities from long, standoff ranges in all weather conditions and at any time of day or night. BrahMos-equipped Sukhoi-30s are regarded as an essential deterrent for the enemies along land boundaries and in the strategically significant Indian Ocean Region. They can fly 1,500 kilometers at a stretch without mid-air refueling.
The submarine-launched version: The first successful test of this variant was conducted in March 2013 from a submerged platform off the Visakhapatnam coast. It is possible to launch BrahMos from about 50 meters below the water’s surface. Launched vertically from a submarine’s pressure hull, the canister-stored missile has distinct settings for underwater and out-of-water operations.
The futuristic BrahMos-NG: The BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), a futuristic variant of the BrahMos, is mainly being developed for air and naval purposes. It will be lighter and smaller, have next-generation stealth features, prove more effective against Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM), be better suited for conflict in the water, and have the ability to launch from a torpedo tube. According to reports, each unit requires nearly ₹34 crore, while setting up a production unit costs approximately ₹300 crore.
Why is BrahMos significant
India operates its missiles according to the “Fire and Forget” approach since they are deployed against long-range targets and have the advantages of greater speed, precision and a low radar signature. BrahMos, which is among the world’s fastest cruise missiles, is designed to precisely hit both land and water targets.
BrahMos missile launched from Indian Navy ship. (Source: Forceindia.net)
Range: More than 450 kilometers (variants with an enhanced range of up to 800 and even 1,000 kilometers along with a top speed of 5 miles per hour have reportedly been tested).
Speed: Mach 2.8-3.0, supersonic, making interception extremely challenging.
Launch Platform: It can also be launched via air, land, sea or submarine and Sukhoi Su-30MKI is employed to launch the ALCM (Air-Launched Cruise Missile) variant.
Accuracy: With superior guiding and navigation, accuracy is almost exact.
Payload: A 200-300 kilogram high-explosive warhead which performs best against fortified targets.
BrahMos has three times the velocity, 2.5 to three times the flight range, three to four times the seeker range and nine times the kinetic energy of current state-of-the-art subsonic cruise missiles. Its original range was 290 kilometers, however the versions that are presently undergoing extended range testing could reach targets as far as 350 kilometers. More sophisticated versions are being developed including, the BrahMos Extended Range which can go up to 1,500 kilometers and the Hypersonic BrahMos-II equipped to cruise at Mach 8.
Hypersonic speed, or five times the speed of sound and even greater ranges than subsonic cruise missiles are in the cards. BrahMos Block I and BrahMos Air-Launched are the two main versions currently in use as of 2025.
Since India launched military action against Pakistan, codenamed Operation Sindoor, in response to the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack of 22nd April 2025, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan has repeatedly stooped to new lows to peddle misinformation.
In a shameless display of propaganda-filled narrative, on 11th May 2025, the Director General of ISPR displayed a doctored version of a video originally released during the Indian Ministry of Defence press briefing by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. The manipulation was designed to portray India as suffering major losses while projecting the Pakistan armed forces as the victor. Here is the original video which was doctored and used by DG ISPR Pakistan.
Deliberate tampering to suit Pakistani narrative
When the transcription of the original video and the doctored version was compared, it exposed how DG ISPR deliberately edited and twisted facts. One of the most blatant distortions was the removal of the word “limited” from the original sentence: “limited damage was sustained to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj”. The doctored version conveniently changed it to “damage was sustained…”, thus falsely implying larger-scale destruction.
Source: Indian Armed Forces.
Worse, the doctored version inserted entirely new claims not present in the original statement. It added a sentence stating “heavy damages to other military stations in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Akhnoor sectors continued”. In the original video, the part of the sentence “heavy damages to other military stations” referred to Pakistani air bases, and the phrase “military stations in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Akhnoor sectors continued” came long after the first part. DG ISPR trimmed and joined them to make it look as if Indian military stations had sustained heavy damage. Here is the doctored video.
Clip used in Pak military briefing with a doctored video trying to prove they caused heavy damages at Indian Air Bases. Just look at the background changing and you'll know it's the work of a $2/hr video editor. ?
The Pakistani edit removed large portions of Wg Cdr Singh’s remarks where India firmly countered Pakistani aggression. Key facts that were omitted included statements about Pakistan’s irresponsible targeting of civilian infrastructure at Srinagar, Avantipur and Udhampur, and India’s swift and calibrated response.
In the original version, India made clear that “all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded appropriately” and reaffirmed that “Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military”. These lines were completely omitted from the Pakistani version in an attempt to project itself as dominant.
An orchestrated attempt to deceive the world
The strategic addition of false claims and omission of factual context showcase how ISPR was not merely reporting but actively and shamelessly crafting a lie. It tried to show the Indian Armed Forces as acknowledging defeat and high casualties, which is false and contradicted by India’s official release.
Pakistan has a history of making such unethical and desperate false claims. In 2022, a day after the second anniversary of the Balakot airstrikes, Pakistan released a video of Wing Commander Abhinandan who had fallen into the hands of the Pakistani Army while valiantly defending Indian territory. The one is heavily doctored with 16 cuts during its 2 minute duration. A similar video was released earlier as well.
However, this blatant manipulation of an official Indian defence statement in an international press briefing crossed all lines of professionalism and integrity, which is, in any case, foolish to expect from Pakistan.
India stands firm despite Pakistan’s misinformation campaign
India has not only repelled every provocation but also maintained restraint and professionalism. As Wg Cdr Singh rightly pointed out, the Indian Armed Forces have been at a high state of operational readiness, have responded effectively to all threats, and remain committed to preventing escalation.
It is essential to expose Pakistan’s habit of using doctored videos and fake narratives as a psychological warfare tool. The exposure of this manipulation proves again that Pakistan’s information campaigns are nothing more than poorly disguised attempts to deceive both domestic and international audiences.
If only Pakistan showed a similar level of effort in its military capabilities and development, as they show in video editing and misinformation peddling, they would not have to get thrashed so badly during combat and would not be so dependent on foreign aid to feed their people.
The US-based company, Maxar Technologies, has come under the scanner for providing high-resolution satellite images of Pahalgam and the adjoining sensitive areas just 2 months before the deadly terror attack that took place on 22nd April this year. It was additionally revealed that Maxar Technologies partnered with a Pakistan-based geospatial company, previously indicted by the US government.
Following the controversy, the US-based satellite imagery company removed the Pakistan-based Business System International (BSI) Private Limited as one of its partners. In a statement, the company also claimed that BSI did not place any orders for high-resolution images of Pahalgam.
The US government’s Homeland Security Investigation (HIS) filed a complaint against BSI as early as 2020. But this did not stop Maxar from onboarding BSI as a customer, then as a partner.
It is thus important to know about Obaidullah Syed, the owner of the Pakistan-based Business System International (BSI) Private Limited, which lies at the epicentre of the controversy.
Charges against BSI owner Obaidullah Syed
In September 2020, it was reported in the media that Obaidullah Syed was arrested and taken into federal custody.
He illegally exported high-performance servers, computing platforms and software application solutions to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) from the United States between 2006 to 2015.
The other exports were made to research institutes that train PAEC scientists and engineers.
For the unversed, PAEC is a Pakistani government agency which is involved in the design and testing of nuclear weapon parts, uranium mining and the development of ballistic missiles.
The US government had designated the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) as an ‘entity’ which poses an extraordinary threat to the country’s economy, foreign policy and national security.
This, however, did not stop Obaidullah Syed from operating without a licence and necessary government approval from the US Department of Commerce. He was openly flouting the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and foreign trade regulations.
The accused deliberately misrepresented to the computer manufacturers in the United States that the shipments were being made to Pakistani universities and his businesses.
Obaidullah Syed also faked US government shipping documents and made a false list of importers in the ‘Shippers Export Declarations.’ At that time, the accused was 65 years old.
The Pakistani-American criminal owns the Karachi-based Business System International (BSI) Private Limited and BSI USA, which is based in Chicago. Both these companies were involved in carrying out the illegal exports. It claims to have been operational since 1980. It has branches in Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad.
According to a report by The Investigative Project on Terrorism, Obaidullah Syed pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him in October 2021.
Obaidullah Syed sentenced to federal prison
In May 2022, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois issued a press release highlighting the sentencing of the Pakistani-American criminal to a year and a day in federal prison.
The Business System International (BSI) Private Limited was also charged as a ‘corporate defendant’ in the conspiracy.
It had also come to light that Obaidullah Syed had forfeited $2,47,000 (~PKR 6.93 crores) from his criminal proceeds to the US government.
Syed’s criminal antecedents were exposed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security-Office of Export Enforcement.
In a statement, Chicago-based HSI special agent Angie Salazar said, “This federal sentencing is a significant victory for HSI in our continuous efforts to prevent the illicit networks behind attempted thefts of our nation’s military assets and sensitive controlled technology. Let this be a reminder to our adversaries that the United States will stop at nothing to protect and defend our national security.”
BSI and deep connections with Pakistan
As per a report by The Print published on Monday (12th May), the Homeland Security Investigation (HIS) noted in its 2020 complaint, “BSI purchases satellite images from a Colorado-based company and then sells those images to an unspecified arm of the Pakistan Government.”
BSI owner Obaidullah Syed also has strong connections with the National Development Complex (NDC), the aerospace agency of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Pakistan.
He had sent multiple emails to the principal scientific officer of Pakistan’s Directorate of Science Division between 2006 to 2020.
HIS noted, “On or about April 28, 2015, a BSI-Pakistan employee emailed his colleagues a copy of a bank check received from the NDC, which special agents obtained pursuant to a warrant to search another BSI-Pakistan employee email account.”
It had also come to light that orders for high-resolution satellite images of Pahalgam started being placed soon after onboarding BSI as a partner of Maxar Technologies.
The Background of the Controversy
According to a report by The Print on Friday (9th May), Maxar Technologies received 12 orders between 2nd February and 22nd February this year for high-resolution images of Pahalgam and sensitive areas like Anantnag, Poonch, Rajouri, and Baramulla.
The purchases were made on 12th February, 15th February, 18th February, 21st February, and 22nd February. No orders were placed in March 2025. One order for high-resolution image of Pahalgam was made on 12th April, i.e. 10 days before the terror attack.
Two additional purchases were made on 24th April and 29th April. Each high-resolution satellite image costs upwards of ₹3 lakhs.
Data and image via The Print
The high-resolution images are used by defence agencies across the globe to monitor weapon installations, infrastructure development, troop movements, smuggling and illegal border crossings and conduct facial profiles of individuals walking on the streets.
An ISRO scientist told The Print, “Satellite surveillance has become the backbone of any country’s intelligence. While it is unclear whether these images could have been used for planning the April 22 attacks in Pahalgam, India could ask Maxar to conduct an investigation into the ordered images.”
Maxar Technologies has Government and Defence agencies as its clients. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and 11 space tech startups have availed the services of the US-based company.
Indian regions for which order was placed with Maxar Technologies, image obtained by The Print
Maxar Technologies had partnered with Business Systems International Pvt Ltd (BSI) in 2023 despite being indicted in 2020 and its owner sentenced as recently as 2022.
It must be mentioned that a paying partner of Maxar Technologies can have access to the order of high-resolution satellite images placed by other partners unless it is ‘confidential.’
“The problem is that they (Maxar) are a business enterprise. They will provide services to anyone who is paying them…Of course, there are challenges when you depend on a third party for surveillance data. They have no obligation to be loyal to you,” an ISRO scientist told The Print.
Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor
On 22nd April this year, 4 Islamic terrorists sponsored by Pakistan killed 26 innocent civilians (primarily Hindus) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
In response, the Modi government launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on 7th May to avenge the killings.
A document labeled “Radiological Safety Bulletin” from the Government of Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, dated 13 May 2025, has surfaced on the internet, igniting a storm of speculation. It alleges a confirmed radiation leak at a facility located in Northern Pakistan, attributing the incident to a mechanical failure during the transfer of an Indium-192 capsule used for non-destructive testing (NDT).
Purported ‘Radiological Safety Bulletin’ by Pakistani govt has gone viral on social media
The document—marked “CONFIDENTIAL – IMMEDIATE RELEASE”—details exposure levels, containment efforts, and environmental assessments. But more than what it says, it is when it says it that raises eyebrows. The radiation leak is reported to have occurred on 11 May 2025, a full day after ceasefire was brokered between the two nations as India’s massive cross-border response crippled Pakistan’s air defence and strike capabilities.
Several social media users have shared the document on X, contributing to the claims that India’s airstrike in response to Pakistani retaliation had struck sites that may have housed nuclear facilities.
?
Govt of Pakistan confirms a radiation in Northern Pakistan.
— The Gyaani Writer (@thegyaaniwriter) May 13, 2025
However, a critical caveat must be underscored: The authenticity of this bulletin cannot be vouched for. It may very well be a fabrication—similar to other alleged Government of Pakistan releases that have recently done the rounds on social media, such as the bogus press statements regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s alleged sexual assault in custody and even false reports of his death. The fact that the document mentions the radiological leak took place at around “24-55” hours also reveals that the purported bulletin is probably a fake document.
Online speculation surrounding India’s purported strikes near a Pakistani nuclear facility has only added fuel to the credibility of the so-called ‘Radiological Safety Bulletin,’ which has rapidly gone viral across the internet.
In the fog of war and political chaos, disinformation campaigns are rampant, and caution is essential when interpreting such documents.
What does the purported ‘Radiological Safety Bulletin’ reveal
If we temporarily accept the document at face value, several developments emerge that merit attention:
1. Timing & context
The radiation leak coincides exactly with India’s reported surgical air and missile strikes across key Pakistani Air Force (PAF) installations—from Skardu to Masroor—as part of Operation Sindoor. Notably, within 48 hours of these strikes, a ceasefire was abruptly brokered, despite Pakistan’s earlier belligerent posture.
2. Sensitive material & institutional involvement
The leaked document references Indium-192, a radioactive isotope commonly used in industrial testing but also potentially found in dual-use facilities that may fall under Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure. The fact that the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) were involved suggests this was not just a private industrial accident.
3. Panic in the top ranks
There have been credible reports indicating that Pakistan’s top leadership sought urgent U.S. intervention after India’s retaliation, fearing that New Delhi might target Pakistan’s nuclear command infrastructure. According to diplomatic sources, India’s strikes had generated panic about the vulnerability of Pakistan’s so-called nuclear deterrent.
4. Actions taken Post-Leak
The memo states that exposure levels hit 14.2 mSv/hour at the incident site, prompting a 300-meter precautionary zoneand emergency medical screenings. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was formally notified, and an independent audit was launched—unusual measures for a supposedly minor mechanical failure.
A Nuclear close call?
Even if the bulletin turns out to be a hoax or disinformation, the circumstances surrounding Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s sudden shift from aggression to diplomacy, and widespread unverified rumors of a nuclear scare, all point toward a serious internal crisis in Pakistan’s strategic establishment.
If the bulletin is real, even partially, it would mean that India’s strikes came dangerously close to—or directly impacted—a sensitive nuclear-linked site, shaking the core assumptions of South Asia’s deterrence stability. This may explain Islamabad’s desperation for an immediate ceasefire and international mediation.
Whether India struck Pakistan’s nuclear site or not, message conveyed was received loud and clear
While this document’s authenticity remains unverified and it could very well be fake news, the strategic behavior exhibited by both countries post-conflict tells its own story. Whether India struck a nuclear-adjacent facility or simply demonstrated its capacity to do so, the message was received loud and clear in Rawalpindi.
At the very least, the viral bulletin—real or not—has reignited the debate about the credibility and survivability of Pakistan’s nuclear command infrastructure under real-time kinetic pressure. And that alone, in the cutthroat logic of deterrence, may have changed the rules of the game.
On 12th May, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to X to give a carefully packaged history lesson on the BrahMos missile. He discussed the Indo-Russian collaboration, the initial agreements during then-Prime Minister I. K. Gujral’s tenure, and the subsequent milestones under then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, followed by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The idea of his post on X was to emphasise Congress’s role in the development and integration of the BrahMos missile in the Indian Armed Forces.
BrahMos is very much in the news these days. It is named after the Brahmaputra and the Moskva rivers and is an outstanding example of Indo-Russian collaboration. It is also yet another remarkable proof of continuity in governance which simply cannot be denied or erased – despite…
Notably, BrahMos is in discussion because of its possible use in Operation Sindoor, the military operation against terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir that expanded to the military assets of Pakistan, particularly on the night of May 10, when India pounded 10 Pakistani air bases with precision hits.
Though the Indian Government and DGMOs of the Indian Armed Forces have not specified which targets were hit with BrahMos, there are definitive media reports and expert opinions that it was indeed used. Operation Sindoor was initiated as a response to 22nd April Pahalgam terrorist attack by The Resistance Force, a Lashkar-e-Taiba-affiliated terrorist outfit, that claimed lives of 26 innocent Hindus. Terrorists selectively picked Hindu tourists and brutally killed them after confirming their religion in front of their family members.
In his post, Jairam wrote, “India’s Integrated Missile Development Programme began in 1983. It has had great successes. Sometime in the mid-90s, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and his colleagues like Dr Sivathanu Pillai felt the need for collaboration with the Russians for supersonic cruise missiles. An inter-governmental agreement was signed on 12th February 1998 when IK Gujral was PM. Incidentally, he was India’s Ambassador to the USSR 1976-80. Thereafter the first contract was signed on 9th July 1999, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was PM. The first successful launch took place on 12th June 2001.”
He then continued to mention how the development and integration took place during the UPA era and claimed that it was because of Manmohan Singh that India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime. He added, “Thereafter the missile was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2005 and Indian Army in 2007. The air-launched variant of BrahMos appeared in 2012. All this was when Dr. Manmohan Singh was PM. It was his leadership that led to the historic Indo-US nuclear agreement of 2005, paving the way for India finally joining the Missile Technology Control Regime eleven years later. It was also during his tenure that the BrahMos Integration Complex in Hyderabad and the BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Limited were established.”
With all the glittery words praising Congress and Manmohan Singh’s regime, what he did not say spoke louder than what he did. As always, there was a selective telling from the Congress leader. He conveniently erased the work done by then-Defence Minister George Fernandes and maintained complete silence over the fact that Congress governments, even after the integration of such an advanced missile system, never actually used BrahMos when national security demanded it the most. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks are only one stark example.
The real history of BrahMos – Vajpayee, Fernandes, Kalam
The true history of BrahMos traces back to the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) launched in 1983 under Indira Gandhi. However, the need for a supersonic cruise missile was seriously felt only after the Gulf War of the 1990s.
When IK Gujral was the Prime Minister of India, a crucial Indo-Russian inter-governmental agreement was signed on 12th February 1998. The programme gained real momentum under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The first contract between India and Russia was signed on 9th July 1999, shortly after Vajpayee assumed office.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr. Sivathanu Pillai led the scientific drive. Kalam, also called the Missile Man of India, played the central role. He made the Indo-Russian partnership a reality. The first successful test of BrahMos took place on 12th June 2001, under Vajpayee’s leadership.
One of the tests were done in October 2003, which was covered by media. Reports suggested that BrahMos was first test-fired on 12th June 2001, second time on 28th April 2002 and third time on 12th February 2003. The October one was the fourth test. Production of the missile was authorised by the end of 2003, as mentioned earlier by George Fernandes in the Lok Sabha in 2002, and its induction into the Navy started in 2005. The missile’s variants were steadily expanded, including the air-launched version in 2012.
Notably, in August 2004, when UPA-1 had assumed power, then-Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the Lok Sabha that BrahMos would be inducted into the Navy by 2005. Then, in December 2004, he informed the Lok Sabha that eight tests had been successful and production was in progress for induction in 2005. It is next to impossible for Congress to have developed and inducted BrahMos into the Indian Navy within a year. The credit for the development has to go to Vajpayee’s tenure and Fernandes as Defence Minister. Furthermore, Fernandes, in 2002, had told Rajya Sabha that BrahMos would be inducted in 2004. Clearly, it was delayed.
BrahMos exists because of George Fernandes
If it were not for George Fernandes, BrahMos would not have existed. The fearless Defence Minister fast-tracked India’s missile power despite enormous global pressure. After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, Western powers imposed several sanctions. They sought to isolate India technologically and militarily.
However, Fernandes stood firm. He pushed forward the BrahMos collaboration even as the establishment faced threats and diplomatic bullying. It was his courage and clarity that enabled the BrahMos programme to move from paper to production lines.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shamelessly attempted to erase all the efforts made by George Fernandes during his tenure as Defence Minister. It is a masterclass in petty and vindictive politics. Why did he do so? Because acknowledging Fernandes would mean admitting that India’s missile might was built by leaders who were neither Congressmen nor controlled by their ecosystem.
Congress’ hypocrisy – they neither backed it fully nor used it
As Congress wants to claim credit for BrahMos, one must ask, what did they do with it? The answer is damning. Despite repeated terror attacks, especially the 2008 Mumbai attack (26/11), and countless strikes on Indian soil by Pakistani proxies, Congress never intended to use BrahMos even once.
On 26th November 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists held Mumbai hostage for days. They killed 166 innocent people. The UPA Government led by Manmohan Singh took no decisive military action against the terror-sponsoring state, Pakistan. BrahMos, which was inducted into the Navy in 2005 and the Army in 2007, sat unused.
Instead of taking strong military action, there was silence. There were candle marches. There was “strong condemnation”. And there were dossiers sent to Islamabad by the then Indian government under Manmohan Singh, but never any punitive action.
BJP made it, Congress claimed it, but never dared to use it
The uncomfortable truth for Congress is that BrahMos’s story revolves around Vajpayee, Fernandes, and Kalam. These are the people Congress would rather forget than give credit to. The BJP and NDA leadership created a self-reliant India, capable of defending its interests and projecting strength. BrahMos was part of that journey.
BrahMos today marked its presence in Operation Sindoor not because of Congress speeches, but because of fearless leaders who chose action over appeasement.
Following trade talks in Geneva, in which the United States and China agreed to withdraw reciprocal tariffs for an initial 90-day period, US President Donald Trump described the outcome as a “total reset” in relations with China.
Trump called the discussions as friendly, adding that the relationship with China is now “very, very good.” The US President also hinted at a possible call with Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the week.
While addressing a press briefing at the White House on Monday, Trump said, “The talks in Geneva were very friendly, the relationship is very good, we are not looking to hurt China. China has been hurt very badly. They were closing factories, they were having a lot of unrest. And they were very happy to be able to do something with us and the relationship is very, very good. Maybe I will speak with President Xi Jinping by the end of the week.”
The US and China arrived at an agreement that they will withdraw their previously announced reciprocal tariffs and counter tariffs for an initial period of 90 days.
In the meantime, China will impose 10 per cent tariffs on US goods, and the US will tax Chinese goods at about 30 per cent.
The understanding was arrived at recognising the importance of their bilateral economic and trade relationship to both countries and the global economy, as per a joint statement.
Both countries recognised the importance of a sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship.
Both countries reflected on their recent discussions and believed that continued discussions have the potential to address each side’s concerns in their economic and trade relationship.
Going ahead, the two countries will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations.
The representative from the Chinese side for these discussions will be He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the State Council, and the representatives from the US side will be Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative.
“These discussions may be conducted alternately in China and the United States, or a third country upon agreement of the Parties. As required, the two sides may conduct working-level consultations on relevant economic and trade issues,” the joint statement added.
Trump had imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries with which the US has a trade deficit. Later, Trump decided to pause the tariffs for 90 days after many countries initiated talks with the US administration for a trade deal. In these 90 days starting April 9, President Trump imposed a 10 per cent baseline tariff on all countries.
For China, Trump had indicated that the tariffs may go up to as high as 245 per cent. For the US, Chinese tariffs were at 125 per cent.
Since assuming office for his second term, Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that the United States will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to ensure fair trade.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
As the situation between India and Pakistan remains tense, Jalandhar District Collector (DC) Himanshu Aggarwal informed that one surveillance drone was brought down by the Indian armed forces near Mand village in the district on Monday night.
In a press release, the DC requested that people refrain from going near the debris and inform the nearest police station about it. He confirmed that drone activity has been taking place in Jalandhar since 10:00 PM Monday.
“I have been informed that one surveillance drone was brought down by the Armed forces at around 9.20 pm near village Mand. The expert team is looking for the debris. It is requested that please do not go near the debris. If you find them, immediately inform the nearest police station. It has also been informed that no drone activity has been seen in Jalandhar since 10 pm,” the DC Jalandhar stated in the release.
He advised the people to exercise caution and warned of strict police action against those engaged in bursting crackers to create panic. As a precaution, the lights in some areas of Jalandhar were cut off.
“I urge you to please be calm, and also do not burst crackers, as it has been reported in some areas. Strict police action will be taken against such people who try to create panic. We have cut off the light in some areas of Jalandhar as a precaution and will review the situation after some time. Nothing to worry,” the DC added.
Even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent an explicit message against terrorism being “encouraged” by Pakistan, there is a sense of skepticism in the border villages who fear that Pakistan’s army will not desist from aggression, as they have tried to breach the understanding reached between the two countries.
The local residents of a border village in Samba district of Jammu also added that they heard the blasts occurring last night, and splinters hit one of the houses. The roof and kitchen of the affected house have also been damaged after shelling by Pakistan.
Red streaks were seen and explosions heard as India’s air defence intercepted Pakistani drones amid a blackout in Samba on Monday evening, with Army sources saying that a small number of drones had come in the Samba sector and were being engaged.
Army sources said that a very small number of drones have come into the Samba sector, and they are being engaged, so there is nothing to be alarmed about.
On Monday, PM Modi hit out at Pakistan over its support to cross-border terrorism and said that “terror and talks” and “terror and trade” cannot go together.
In his address to the nation, PM Modi said that after the surgical strike in 2016 and the air strike in 2019, Operation Sindoor is India’s policy against terrorism. The Prime Minister referred to India putting in abeyance the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and said, “water and blood cannot flow together”.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
