Pakistan Claims Destruction of Indian S-400 SAM System

Tensions between India and Pakistan in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir have reached a critical juncture, marked by a series of mutual attacks that threaten to spiral into full-scale war. Amidst ongoing hostilities, Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the destruction of an Indian airfield and the death of a high-ranking Indian military officer, intensifying the already fraught situation.

According to the Indian news agency PTI, a Pakistani strike in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a senior Indian army officer, whose identity has not been disclosed. This attack was part of a broader operation in which Pakistani forces reportedly destroyed an airfield in Birnala, along with three check posts and a brigade headquarters in Bhimber Gali village, located in Poonch district. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations asserts that the airfield housed helicopters and fighter jets, which were also destroyed. Videos allegedly depicting smoke rising over Birnala have circulated on Platform X, although their authenticity remains unverified.

In retaliation, India has accused Pakistan of employing a supersonic missile to strike an airbase in Punjab state, causing significant infrastructure damage. Reports that the Indian army has started the deployment of additional forces to the Line of Control in preparation for further escalation. Pakistan is also reinforcing its military presence, bolstering its positions along the border. Islamabad has deployed Chinese JF-17 fighter jets and HQ-9 air defense systems to safeguard its airspace.

This escalation follows a conflict ignited by a suicide bombing in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, in which militants from the Resistance Front group killed 26 tourists. India accused Pakistan of facilitating the attack, prompting the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, during which India conducted missile strikes on several Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot. These strikes resulted in the deaths of 24 individuals, including civilians. Pakistan retaliated with artillery strikes and reportedly shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, while also claiming to have destroyed an Indian S-400 air defense system—an assertion that India has not confirmed.

Indian authorities have dismissed claims regarding the destruction of the S-400 Triumph air defense system in Adampur, labeling them as “baseless.” The Times of India reports that the system remains operational and is actively being utilized to defend against incoming Pakistani missiles, including the Fath-II, which was intercepted in Haryana. In response to the escalating conflict, India has suspended operations at 32 airports until May 15, while Pakistan has imposed a 48-hour flight ban, significantly disrupting air travel and impacting the economies of both nations.