Pakistan rubbishes India's Shaheen missile claim

Express Tribune

19-05-2025

Pakistan on Monday vehemently rejected Indian media claims that it used the Shaheen missile, which can carry nuclear warheads, during "Operation Bunyanun Marsoos".
Indian media reports claimed that Pakistan used nuclear-capable Shaheen-II missile – a medium range ballistic missile with a range of 2,500 kilometres – but was intercepted by its S-400 air defence system.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected the unfounded allegations circulating in certain segments of the Indian media, which falsely claim that Pakistan employed the Shaheen missile during Operation Bunyanun Marsoos (BM)," according to the Foreign Office spokesperson.
The spokesperson said those claims originated following the release of a video by the Indian Army's official Twitter handle, purportedly showing the use of Pakistan's Shaheen missile. Upon realising that the claim was unsubstantiated, the Indian Army promptly deleted the misleading video.
However, by then, sections of the Indian media had already amplified the false narrative without verification. Regrettably, some Indian outlets continue to propagate this misinformation, according to the spokesperson.
The spokesperson said that it was noteworthy that the Indian Army's official handle has remained silent on the matter, offering neither clarification nor retraction for the erroneous post.
Analysts observe that such disinformation campaigns are part of a deliberate attempt to obscure India's setbacks in its Operation Sindoor, which were a result of Pakistan's demonstrated conventional military capabilities.
"Additionally, these fabricated stories align with New Delhi's ongoing efforts to promote a misleading narrative regarding the ceasefire and baseless allegations of so-called 'nuclear blackmail' by Pakistan," the Foreign Office pointed out.
The range of weapons used by Pakistan is detailed in the ISPR press release of May 12. The Pakistan Armed Forces employed precision-guided, long-range Fatah series missiles—F1 and F2—as well as advanced munitions, highly capable long-range loitering killer drones, and precision long-range artillery.
Fatah-1 is a surface-to-surface guided missile developed by Pakistan. This series also includes another missile, Fatah-2. According to Pakistan military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), this missile has a range of up to 400 kilometers and is capable of accurately hitting its target.
The military sites in India and in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) targeted by these assets are also listed in the ISPR Press Release of May 12.
Disseminating unverified and inflammatory content not only undermines regional stability but also reflects poorly on the professionalism of official institutions, cautioned the spokesperson.