Precision Firestorm: How the Indian Air Force Crippled Pakistan’s Air Defence and Airbases in a Daring Night Offensive

May 15, 2025: In a bold and unprecedented counter-offensive, the Indian Air Force (IAF), with support from other branches of the armed forces, launched a series of devastating precision strikes on Pakistani military assets during the night of May 9–10, crippling critical air defence systems and targeting airbases across Pakistan.

This high-stakes operation came in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of several Indian civilians in a targeted, religion-based assault linked to terror groups operating with support from within Pakistan. Following India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Muridke and Bahawalpur on May 7 under Operation Sindoor, Pakistan responded with a wave of drone and missile attacks on Indian military installations and civilian areas.

In what is now being regarded as one of the most tactically ambitious military counterstrikes in South Asian history, India struck back with Round 2—a sophisticated assault that hit 11 of 12 Pakistani airbases, virtually paralyzing Pakistan’s aerial capabilities and neutralizing its air defence shield, much of which is supplied and supported by China.

At the core of the offensive was the use of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, launched from land and air platforms, as well as Scalp missiles deployed via Rafale jets. Approximately 15 BrahMos missiles were fired, aimed at degrading Pakistan’s ability to launch aircraft and defend its skies.

The operation began with a deception tactic—India launched dummy aircraft that mimicked fighter jets on Pakistani radars. This prompted Pakistan’s air defence systems to activate, revealing their locations and preparing the battlefield for a more lethal phase. Indian forces then deployed Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions, which precisely struck and disabled air defence radars and command systems.

Despite Pakistan relocating its HQ-9 air defence systems in anticipation, India’s surveillance and targeting capabilities ensured that even repositioned assets were swiftly identified and destroyed.

This was followed by a wave of long-range missile strikes, involving Rampage, Scalp, and Crystal Maze missiles, in addition to BrahMos. These high-precision munitions targeted runways, hangars, radar stations, and control centers, significantly degrading Pakistan’s ability to respond.

The Western and Southwestern Air Commands coordinated the complex mission, showcasing India’s ability to project overwhelming firepower in a tightly coordinated fashion. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s retaliatory missile and drone barrage was largely intercepted by India’s S-400, MRSAM, and Akash air defence systems, preventing major damage.

Reports indicate that several Pakistani long-endurance UAVs and an airborne early warning aircraft may have been destroyed in a missile strike on a hangar at a base in Sindh province. The intensity and accuracy of the Indian strikes reportedly forced Pakistan to relocate its fighter aircraft to rear bases and halt further counter-offensive planning.

In a significant first, this marks the combat debut of the BrahMos missile system, which proved devastating in operational deployment, reaffirming its strategic value and precision lethality.

Faced with overwhelming destruction and the collapse of its air defence network, Pakistan is believed to have urgently sought Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks to de-escalate the situation and halt further military engagement.

The daring operation has signaled a dramatic shift in the regional balance of power and set a new precedent for preemptive and punitive military action in the face of state-supported terrorism.