Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Indian Armed Forces on Friday for their swift and decisive action during Operation Sindoor, stating that Pakistan was forced to acknowledge the devastating power of India’s BrahMos missiles. Addressing air warriors at the Bhuj airbase in Gujarat, Singh highlighted how India’s retaliation showcased its growing defence capabilities.
On the night of May 9-10, India launched a counter-strike, firing around 15 BrahMos missiles and other precision-guided weapons. This strike followed Pakistan’s attempted attack on military targets in northern and western India during the night of May 7-8, which was successfully neutralized by India’s air defence systems.
Drawing on a popular Hindi idiom, Singh remarked, “Even Pakistan has accepted the power of the BrahMos missile. There is an old saying, ‘Din mein taare dekhna’ (seeing stars in daylight). Made-in-India BrahMos missiles showed ‘raat ke andhere mein din ka ujala’ (daylight in the darkness of night) to Pakistan.” His comment drew applause, emphasizing how India’s advanced weaponry made a thunderous impact.
Singh further stated that the operation was executed so quickly and precisely that it was completed in the time an average person takes to eat breakfast. He emphasized that the global military community took note of this swift and effective response. “You struck deep into enemy territory. The echo wasn’t just from the missiles but also from the courage and valor of our soldiers. It resonated far beyond our borders,” he said.
Congratulating the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, the Defence Minister detailed how India used pilotless target aircraft to provoke Pakistani radars into action. Once their air defence systems were activated, India deployed Harop kamikaze drones to target and disable them. This tactical move cleared the way for launching BrahMos and Scalp cruise missiles.
Fighter aircraft from India’s Western and South Western Air Commands targeted strategic Pakistani infrastructure, including a hangar in Sindh, destroying vital assets like UAVs and a surveillance aircraft. The strikes prompted the Pakistan Air Force to relocate its planes to safer bases, confirming the extent of the damage.
The operation was orchestrated under the direction of the Chief of Defence Staff, with strategic inputs from the National Security Advisor, showcasing the efficiency and coordination within India’s defence leadership. Operation Sindoor not only highlighted India’s precision warfare capabilities but also reaffirmed the global reputation of the BrahMos missile as a potent symbol of India’s self-reliant military strength.
