&w=3840&q=100)
India recovers China-made PL-15 missile almost intact in 'intelligence coup'
In what is being described as an 'intelligence coup', India has recovered a China-made PL-15 missile fired by Pakistan almost intact read more
The photograph show the purported remains of a Chinese missile fired at Indian warplanes by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
India has recovered a China-made PL-15 missile fired by Pakistan almost intact.
India recovered the missile in Punjab's Hoshiarpur where it landed in a field, according to visuals that have surfaced in the media.
The recovery of the missile is an 'intelligence coup' for India, according to veteran defence journalist Vishnu Som.
Follow our complete coverage of India-Pakistan tensions here
Indian specialists are set to unpack the missile and study it to reverse-engineer it. That would give India an advantage over China that uses a variant of the missile.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'This missile will be opened up and inspected - the findings could end up giving the IAF a huge edge in the years ahead. You can count on the US asking for a look as well,' said Som in a post on X.
The recovery of an almost intact Chinese PL-15 air to air missile is an intelligence coup for India. This missile, fired by a Pak fighter (J-10 or JF-17) flew more than 100 kms to land in the Hoshiarpur area. This missile will be opened up and inspected - the findings could end… https://t.co/oKllhUDBCR — Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) May 9, 2025
This is at least the second instance of such a missile being recovered by India.
Earlier, it had been reported that India had recovered fragments of China-made PL-15 missile in Hoshiarpur.
These missiles are likely to be China's PL-15E variant of the missile meant for export.
The PL-15 is a long-range, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile used by fighter planes. Pakistan's China-made JF-17 fighter planes are equipped with these missiles. Pakistan attacks on India during the ongoing conflict are the first known combat use of the missile.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The previous report said that serial numbers of the fragments found in Hoshiarpur, P15E12203023 and P15E12203039, suggest that these missiles may have been fired by the same Pakistan plane possibly at the same Indian target.
The most notable part that specialists would look into would be the missile's 'seeker system'.
A missile's seeker system is a critical component that allows it to detect, track, and home in on the target. If the adversary gains access to the seeker system, they can learn about its confidential specifications and capabilities, its vulnerabilities and limitations, and gain insights into counter-measures, jamming, guidance, and other critical aspects.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
34 minutes ago
- The Hindu
All-party parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor wraps up U.S. visit
A multi-party parliamentary delegation wrapped up its visit to the U.S. after meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau among political and diplomatic leaders, to drive home India's strong resolve to combat terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was on the last leg of a multi-nation tour to brief key interlocutors about Operation Sindoor that India launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The delegation was one of the seven multi-party delegations India had tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to emphasise Pakistan's links to terrorism. The group arrived in the U.S. capital on June 3 and over the course of three days held a wide array of meetings on Capitol Hill as well as in Washington, briefing American government officials as well as lawmakers about India's stance on cross-border terrorism. The Indian team met Vice President Vance, Mr. Landau, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) leadership, India Caucus leadership and Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders. It also held meetings and interactions with a host of U.S. Congressmen, think tanks, policy experts, media as well as members of the Indian-American community. Mr. Tharoor described the meeting with Mr. Vance at the White House for about 25 minutes on Thursday (June 5, 2025) as 'an excellent meeting,' and said the Vice President was 'warm and welcoming and receptive.' 'Mr. Vance expressed complete understanding, first of all, outrage of what happened in Pahalgam and support and respect for India's restrained response in Operation Sindoor,' Mr. Tharoor told PTI after that meeting. After the delegation met Mr. Landau on Friday (June 6, 2025), a statement by State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the Deputy Secretary of State 'reaffirmed the United States' strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries.' 'We discussed the U.S.-India strategic relationship, including expanding trade and commercial ties to foster growth and prosperity for both countries,' Mr. Landau said. The Indian Embassy said in a statement that during the meeting with Mr. Landau, the delegation briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, discussed India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, and put forth India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms. In a post on X on Sunday (June 8, 2025), Mr. Tharoor wrote in Hindi, "On behalf of all the members, I express my gratitude to the motherland and the lovers of India in the country and abroad who listened with open ears and accepted with open heart that we are lovers of non-violence but only until someone... Jai Hind". सौ बार जन्म लेंगे तो सौ बार करेंगे जी भर के अपने वतन से प्यार करेंगे जो हम से बन पड़ा, "अ वतन" हमने किया है जो सच था, सारी दुनिया ने अब जान लिया है समस्त सदस्यों की तरफ से मातृभूमि का और देश विदेश में हिंदुस्तान प्रेमियों का बहुत-बहुत आभार जिन्होंने कान खोल कर सुना और दिल खोल कर… — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 8, 2025 On the last day of the delegation's scheduled meetings, the delegation paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue opposite the Indian Embassy here. 'It is striking how many world capitals are adorned with statues or busts of the Mahatma, the 20th century's greatest apostle of peace, nonviolence, and human freedom,' Mr. Tharoor posted on X afterwards. The team, which had arrived from India in New York on May 24, had travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington for the last leg of the tour. The other members of the delegation were Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Tejasvi Surya (BJP) and India's former Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Sandhu. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. The on-ground hostilities from Indian and Pakistan sides that lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
US, China seek to extend trade truce with London talks
Washington: After a round of talks in Geneva last month, the United States and China will sit down at the negotiating table in London on Monday to attempt to preserve a fragile truce on trade, despite simmering tensions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will lead the US delegation, President Donald Trump announced Friday. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng -- who led Beijing's negotiating team in Geneva -- will also lead the team in London, the foreign ministry announced at the weekend. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Click Here) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo "The meeting should go very well," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told Fox News on Sunday: "We want China and the United States to continue moving forward with the agreement that was struck in Geneva." Live Events While the government of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that it was not involved in the content of the discussions in any way, a spokesperson said: "We are a nation that champions free trade." UK authorities "have always been clear that a trade war is in nobody's interests, so we welcome these talks," the spokesperson added. 'Correcting the course' The talks in London come just a few days after Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally held their first publicly announced telephone talks since the Republican returned to the White House. Trump said that call, which took place on Thursday, had reached a "very positive conclusion." Xi was quoted by state-run news agency Xinhua as saying that "correcting the course of the big ship of Sino-US relations requires us to steer well and set the direction." The call came after tensions between the world's two biggest economies had soared, with Trump accusing Beijing of violating a tariff de-escalation deal reached in Geneva in mid-May. "We need China to comply with their side of the deal. And so that's what the trade team will be discussing tomorrow," Leavitt said Sunday. In April, Trump introduced sweeping worldwide tariffs that targeted China most heavily. At one point the United States hit China with additional levies of 145 percent on its goods as both sides engaged in tit-for-tat escalation. China's countermeasures on US goods reached 125 percent. Then in Switzerland, after two days of talks, the two sides agreed to slash their staggeringly high tariffs for 90 days. But differences have persisted, including over China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals used in tech products. 'Green channel' Throughout its talks with Washington, China also has launched discussions with other trading partners -- including Japan and South Korea -- in a bid to build a united front to counter Trump's tariffs. On Thursday, Beijing turned to Canada, with the two sides agreeing to regularize their channels of communication after a period of strained ties. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang also discussed trade and the fentanyl crisis, Ottawa said. Beijing proposed establishing a "green channel" to ease the export of rare earths to the European Union, and fast-tracking approval of some export licenses. That proposal from the commerce ministry in Beijing came after talks on Tuesday between China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic. China is expected to host a summit with the EU in July, marking 50 years since Beijing and Brussels established diplomatic ties.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Harvard's China ties become new front in battle with Trump
In his war with Harvard, President Trump has sought to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding from the school and strip its tax exemptions, measures the White House initially tied to perceived antisemitism at the school amid Israel's war in Gaza. In recent weeks, long-simmering Republican anger over Harvard's links to China has increasingly gained traction. In escalating calls to punish the school, a training event two years ago in the Chinese city of Kunming has emerged as Exhibit A. The training, on the bland topic of healthcare financing, was co-hosted by a Harvard professor and involved a few dozen provincial-level bureaucrats. Among them was at least one representative from Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a large Chinese Communist Party paramilitary organization in the country's far west that also handles civilian government services, including managing hospitals. U.S. authorities in 2020 imposed sanctions against the Xinjiang corps, accusing it of ethnic and religious abuses against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities and forbidding U.S. persons from providing it 'funds, goods, or services." On Wednesday, as Trump moved to bar Harvard from enrolling foreign students, his order cited the event, charging that in exchange for Chinese funding the school 'has, among other things, 'repeatedly hosted and trained members of a Chinese Communist Party paramilitary organization.' " Harvard, which didn't respond to questions, hasn't publicly addressed the allegations involving the Xinjiang corps. The school is fighting Trump in court, calling some of the administration's measures illegal. To its detractors, Harvard epitomizes American elite universities' dependence on Beijing as a profit center—and how that helps the country's rulers, the Chinese Communist Party, challenge the U.S. The conservative Heritage Foundation took aim at higher education in its Project 2025 recommendations, saying, 'Universities taking money from the CCP should lose their accreditation, charters, and eligibility for federal funds." Chinese citizens represent some 23% of Harvard's international students, and Education Department data show that in recent decades individuals and companies from China and Hong Kong together have been the university's No. 2 source of large foreign gifts and contracts, behind only England. In 2023 and 2024 combined, the data show, Harvard reported $55.6 million in gifts of $250,000 or more from China, including Hong Kong, plus $13.7 million in contracts, some 13% and 8.2% respectively among all large-scale funding from non-U.S. partners. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps booth during a 2021 trade fair in Beijing. In previous responses to questions about its China exposure, such as acceptance of financial gifts, the school has cited its broad global alumni network across over 200 nations. With some 90 million members, the Chinese Communist Party has a deep reach into Chinese society. But while some tuition payments and funding might ultimately be traced to decisions by Chinese Communist Party officials, neither China's government nor the party would be likely to directly underwrite activities involving universities abroad, and there is no indication of such payments to Harvard. The Xinjiang corps, colloquially known as Bingtuan, is central to the Chinese Communist Party's ironclad rule over Xinjiang. Widespread evidence shows its paramilitary operations have played a leading role in Beijing's suppression of Uyghurs, including the detention of more than a million people. In imposing sanctions on the corps and its leaders in 2020, the Treasury Department cited 'their connection to serious human-rights abuse." The organization also has a massive administrative role in providing social services to ordinary citizens, such as managing hospitals and healthcare systems, the topic of the 2023 Harvard training, co-hosted by Winnie Yip, a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Analysts say the Xinjiang corps's participation in the training—organized by a Chinese health-insurance regulator, the National Healthcare Security Administration—was hardly the kind of nefarious activity American sanctions are designed to halt. Still, U.S. sanctions laws don't differentiate between types of interaction, said Julian Ku, a law professor at New York's Hofstra University. 'Providing services to a blocked entity is prohibited, so Harvard does indeed face some possible liability here," he said. Trump indicated that his concern about the Xinjiang corps was based on findings of a House Select Committee on China. Its chairman, Rep. John Moolenaar (R., Mich.), late last month wrote to Harvard President Alan Garber, demanding explanations about university activities that 'create risks to U.S. national security and further the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) genocide in Xinjiang." Harvard President Alan Garber A China committee statement about Moolenaar's letter charged that Harvard researchers did transplant studies with 'PRC-based collaborators, amid mounting evidence of the CCP's forced organ harvesting practices." Allegations that Beijing is engaged in institutionalized theft from prisoners and others of body parts for organ transplants have recently gained traction among Republican China critics. While few human-rights groups make that claim today, the anti-Beijing spiritual group Falun Gong has forcefully promoted the issue. The Moolenaar letter described a number of Harvard studies as problematic, including one on cardiac transplants involving mice, detailed in a March 2024 scientific paper that indicated one of the 20 researchers had an affiliation with a hospital in northern China. A spokeswoman for Harvard Medical School's Brigham and Women's Hospital told The Wall Street Journal that the study was done at that institution and had no association with China. By the time the paper was published, she said, one researcher had joined the Chinese hospital. Harvard hasn't responded to Moolenaar's May 19 letter, which was also signed by Reps. Tim Walberg (R., Mich.) and Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), but by no Democrats on the China committee. Winnie Yip, a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health In a response to questions, Moolenaar called the Xinjiang corps 'a sanctioned, paramilitary organization complicit in genocide" and said, 'I stand by the letter, and I will continue demanding answers from those enabling or ignoring the CCP's abuses." Criticism over the Xinjiang organization's participation in the 2023 healthcare event originated in a late April report by Strategy Risks, a research firm run by Isaac Stone Fish, a New York-based journalist, which concluded that Harvard's behavior raised doubts about its effectiveness in 'limiting [Chinese Communist Party] and authoritarian influences." The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, a New York public-policy organization, funded the report but hasn't independently published the findings. Last month the report found an audience with Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), who cited Strategy Risks in an open letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that urged an investigation into Harvard's potentially 'prohibited behavior" with the Xinjiang organization. Rep. John Moolenaar Four days later, Moolenaar and his fellow House members sent their letter to Harvard's Garber, noting the Xinjiang organization's role in mass detentions and describing healthcare efforts in Xinjiang as a 'fig leaf" to whitewash crimes. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem then called out the training as she moved to strip Harvard of its right to educate foreign students. Harvard's public materials on the meetings don't say how the corps came to participate in the training, an iteration of a series on healthcare finance basics known as the Flagship Program developed by the World Bank and Harvard in the 1990s. It has been offered to bureaucrats in dozens of low- and middle-income nations; the 2023 version in China had a special focus on eldercare insurance. A Chinese-language website published by Harvard said the Xinjiang group joined the annual training in 2019, but an internet archive tool showed that reference to its participation was later deleted. Yip, far left, at healthcare-finance training event in China in 2023. The congressional letter also took issue with a photo Harvard published from the 2023 event that blurred out name plates in front of four speakers, which the politicians charged 'raises questions about why Harvard wanted to keep their identities hidden." It couldn't be determined who had obscured the nametags; the photo had previously been widely published that way in China. Key participants are nonetheless easily identified, including the Harvard professor, Yip. Write to James T. Areddy at
