Operation Sindoor: Indian Tri forces neutralised weapons of Chinese and Turkey origin used by Pak military

New Delhi: The Indian Defence chiefs have confirmed that the Tri forces have neutralised multiple Chinese and Turkey weapon systems used by the Pakistan military as part of Operation Sindoor. In a series of press conferences held by the Tri forces, the defence official also confirmed that the attack on the Rahimayar Khan Air Base in Pakistan’s Punjab province has left a crater on the runway, rendering it non-operational.

During the press conference, the official revealed the action taken by each defence wing:

Action by the Indian Air Force

- Point defence: Low-level guns, shoulder-fired weapons.

- Aerial defence: Fighter aircraft and long-range missiles.

- Numerous Pakistani drones and UAVs were neutralised using soft and hard-kill anti-UAV systems. The action was backed by steady budgetary and policy support from the government for advanced weapons procurement.

Threats countered by the IAF

- Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles reportedly missed targets, countered effectively.

- Long-range rockets, loiter munitions and Turkish-origin Yiha systems were neutralised.

- The official provided visual evidence of quadcopters being shot down by Indian systems.

Action by the Indian Army

Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, DGMO of the Indian Army, said that the air defence actions must be understood in the correct operational context. Terror tactics are evolving as civilians are now being targeted, such as the attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori temple in 2024 and the one in Pahalgam in 2025.

India did not cross LoC or the IB. The defence was executed from within our territory, the DGMO said.

Here are some operational highlights:

- May 9-10: Multi-layered air defence grid effectively countered drone attack.

- Pakistan Air Force (PAF) drones couldn’t breach this defence grid.

- ‘From ashes to ashes, dust to dust,’ as said by the officials, illustrating total drone neutralisation and the impossibility of reaching locations in India and inflicting damage

- Some drones were taken down by shoulder-fired weapons.

- Unarmed aerial systems (UAS) were also neutralised.

The DGMO also praised the BSF, from the DG to the soldiers, for their role.