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India.com
22-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan Crumbled, Fired 840 Missiles At India, Failed To Break Even A Window, Exposed Its Own Military Weakness
New Delhi: The smoke has not so far clared over the skies of Pakistan, but one thing stands out is that the country's military preparedness lies in shambles. After India launched Operation Sindoor in early May, following the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, Islamabad scrambled to respond. What followed was a stunning display of India's strategic precision and Pakistan's military failure. India's forces crossed a red line and walked straight into the heart of Pakistan's terror infrastructure. Camps that once trained infiltrators for Kashmir now lie in ruins. These strikes were not symbolic. They were calibrated, sharp and devastating. Lashkar-e-Taiba's nerve centre in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammed's outpost in Bahawalpur, both were hit and flattened. Pakistan reacted, the only way it knew, by unleashing a barrage. 840 missiles, according to Indian security sources. It was a desperate attempt to retaliate. But not a single Indian installation was hit. Not even a cracked window. Most were intercepted mid-air. Some crashed into open fields. Others malfunctioned. There was no damage. No impact. Only noise. India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval put it bluntly during a recent address at IIT Madras. He dared the international media to show just one broken glass panel in any Indian military base. No one could. Because there was not one. Pakistan's missile systems failed spectacularly. Its air defence, built on imported Chinese HQ-9 platforms, did not register a single successful interception. India's SCALP, Rampage and Crystal Maze missiles struck their targets cleanly. Satellite images show what is left – smouldering compounds and craters where terror hubs once stood. Even Lahore was not spared. Indian drones circled overhead. The targets were chosen with precision. Pakistan's air defence did nothing. Later, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif offered a baffling explanation. He said the system was 'not deployed deliberately', claiming Pakistan feared India would locate it if activated. The excuse triggered disbelief across Islamabad's own defence circles. The Pakistan Army now stands stripped bare. Its reaction time, targeting capabilities and layered defences – all exposed. Operation Sindoor was a show of force as well as a message. One that Pakistan heard loud and clear. And in the silence that followed those 840 failed missile launches, the message echoed louder than any explosion.
India.com
21-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan still crying days after Operation Sindoor, fired 840 missiles at India but failed to..., Pakistani weapons exposed due to...
New Delhi: India broke the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and the action of the Indian forces was so precise and strong that it would be difficult for the terrorists hiding in Pakistan to carry out organized terror attacks. The action of the Indian Armed Forces in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22 once again proved India's edge over Pakistan. What was India's plan? During the military confrontation between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force not only wreaked havoc on the terrorist structures present in Pakistan and PoK, but it also targeted Pakistan's military bases. India targeted 11 airbases of Pakistan, including the very important Rahim Yar Khan and Sargodha airbase located near Pakistan's nuclear bases. Pakistan fired hundreds of drones and missiles over India during this confrontation, but all proved useless in front of the Indian air defense system. What happened to Pakistani missiles? According to an HT report, after the action of Indian forces on terrorist structures, Pakistan fired at least 840 missiles on India in response but not even a single missile could hit Indian installations. Most were shot down in the air, while some fell in open fields. There are also reports of some Pakistani missiles failing. Pakistan was completely helpless against India At the same time, Pakistan's air defense system HQ-9 acquired from China proved to be completely unsuccessful in stopping India's missiles. The Indian Scalp, Rampage or Crystal Maze missiles fired at the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur hit their targets accurately and destroyed them. The destruction of these terror structures is clearly visible in satellite images. Pakistan's air defense proved completely helpless as Indian drones targeted them in Lahore. Such was the extent of damage on the Pakistani side that their Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan did not deploy its air defense system deliberately, otherwise India could have come to know about its location.
Russia Today
21-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Air superiority at stake: Why India must consider the Su-57 now
The British F-35B fighter jet which made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram in the southern Indian state of Kerala nearly four weeks ago and has been stranded since then is finally being repaired by a team of UK specialists. If the effort fails, the aircraft will be dismantled and transported – likely in a C-17 Globemaster. The incident was closely observed by global and Indian security establishments, highlighting the complexity of the F-35 and its reliance on specialized equipment and personnel. Dismantling an F-35 is a complex process involving detailed logging and security protocols to prevent data breaches. The F-35's misfortune in India attracted attention for several reasons. Just two months earlier, India and Pakistan were engaged in a four-day military standoff, which underscored the importance of air power. Both sides made competing claims of downing each other's aircraft. Amid the tension, Pakistan announced it would begin acquiring around 40 Chinese fifth-generation J-35A fighters as early as August 2025. Reports claimed that Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar finalized the logistics and financing of the deal during a post-ceasefire visit to China. However, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif denied the deal had been finalized, dismissing the reports as 'media chatter.' If realized, the J-35 deal would mark China's first export of its kind. It could also include the KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft and HQ-19 ballistic missile defense systems. Some reports suggest a nearly 50% discount, valuing the package at approximately $4.6 billion. A key question remains: How would a financially struggling Pakistan, which is reliant on IMF loans, afford such an expensive acquisition? Though speculative for now, China's potential J-35 export would be a milestone for its defense industry. Yet, only around ten have been built so far, and Chinese induction begins only this year. Earlier delivery timelines indicated 2029. Should Pakistan acquire the J-35, it would alter the subcontinent's air dominance equation. This development could pressure India to expedite both the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), currently expected by 2035, and secure an interim fifth-generation platform – thus sparking a growing debate. What's the deal with fifth-generation fighters? Fifth-generation aircraft were pioneered by Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor in 2005. They are built for network-centric combat and feature low observable signatures using advanced materials and shaping, and employ multifunction AESA radars, low-probability-of-intercept capabilities, and IRST sensors for 360-degree situational awareness. Advanced avionics relies on high-speed integrated circuits and data buses. The combination aims to provide 'first-look, first-shot, first-kill' capability. The fifth-generation jets have integrated EW systems, navigation, communication, vehicle health monitoring, and fiber-optic data transmission. Thrust-vectoring improves maneuverability and shortens take-off and landing distances. Supercruise is standard. Radar cross-sections are minimized across a broad frequency spectrum. The primary weapons are carried in internal weapon bays. Signature-reduction techniques include special shaping approaches, thermoplastic materials, extensive structural use of advanced composites, conformal sensors, heat-resistant coatings, low-observable wire meshes to cover intake and cooling vents, heat ablating tiles on the exhaust troughs and coating internal and external metal areas with radar-absorbent materials and paints. Some are very expensive: The F-22 costs around $227 million, and the F-35 around $100 million per unit, despite mass production. Other fifth-generation fighters include Russia's Su-57 and China's J-20. The J-20 has been flying since 2011 and entered service in 2018. China now operates nearly 300. The J-31 (now J-35) first flew in 2012 and is expected to enter service in 2025. South Korea's KF-21 Boramae, built for the Korean and Indonesian air forces, has stealth features but currently carries weapons externally. Internal bays are expected in the KF-21EX version. The first flight was in July 2022, with six prototypes built so far. Service entry is scheduled for 2026. Turkey's TAI Kaan, with BAE Systems as the subcontractor, had its maiden flight in February 2024. Only one aircraft exists, with service induction expected by 2030. The Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) – a UK-Japan-Italy initiative – aims to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter by 2035. In Europe, Dassault, Airbus, and Indra Sistemas are working on FCAS to replace the Rafale and Typhoon fleets by 2040. Stealth aircraft and stand-off weapons The Ukraine conflict and the recent India-Pakistan flare-up have demonstrated the operational value of long-range stand-off weapons. The use of Russian Kha-series missiles (Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, Iskander), the R-37M, Indo-Russian BrahMos, French SCALP-EG, and the Chinese PL-15 were all closely watched. In these conflicts, the adversary's aircraft were forced to use stand-off weapons both for offensive and defensive purposes. One's own aerial assets also have to be operated at very safe distances to avoid long-range surface-to-air missiles such as the S-400. Stealthy fifth-generation aircraft can get closer to the target and add stand-off distance to the long-range weapon. These warplanes can move closer to the border or penetrate into an adversary's territory without being seen, and thus deliver weapon loads on targets and return unharmed. Similarly, they will have the advantage in aerial engagements with the ability to shoot and scoot without being seen. Future air warfare will emphasize Very Long Beyond Visual Range (VL-BVR) combat and ground engagements. Though anti-stealth radar systems (like Russia's Nebo-ME, China's JY-27V, and India's Surya) are in development, stealth remains a top-tier capability. B-2 bombers reportedly entered Iranian airspace undetected. Russia is building the PAK DA stealth bomber; China has the H-20. Sixth-generation fighters such as the F-47 and China's J-36/J-50 are also under development. India's AMCA program New Delhi is actively working on its own fifth-generation jet. India's AMCA will be a stealth, multirole, single-seat, twin-engine, air superiority fighter with ground-strike, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) and Electronic Warfare (EW) missions. Designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), it will be built by a public-private joint venture. The initial development cost is estimated to be around $2 billion. In March 2024, the project received approval from India's Cabinet Committee on Security for the prototype development. Mass production is expected to begin by 2035. The development of AMCA will take place in two phases, AMCA Mk-1 and AMCA Mk-2, which would majorly differ in the indigenous content and futuristic features. Mk-2 will focus more on stealth, EW, and futuristic pilot-AI interface. The AMCA Mk-2 will have Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) and more powerful thrust-vectored engines. It will also incorporate sixth generation technologies. The aircraft will one day replace the Sukhoi Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force. DRDO aims for prototype rollout by 2027, first flight in 2029, and certification by 2032. Five prototypes are planned, each costing around $120 million and spaced eight to nine months apart. The IAF plans to procure 125 aircraft. The government has yet to finalize a production partner. The ADA prefers private-sector involvement rather than Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the government-owned defense manufacturer due to its 'poor delivery track record.' The ADA's push for changing the production partner is aimed at avoiding any further delays following setbacks from development funding and delays in clearance from the US government for license production of engines. The private sector partner would be responsible for development, production and lifetime maintenance of the jet. In May 2025, the Defense Ministry approved the AMCA execution model. In June, the ADA issued an EoI inviting public and private Indian firms – solo or as consortiums – to participate. The proposal deadline is August 16, 2025. India is also in talks with global firms for co-development of the AMCA engine, seeking full intellectual property ownership. Does India really need an interim fifth-gen fighter? There is growing consensus that India must acquire an interim fifth-generation aircraft. However, options are limited. President Donald Trump announced that the US is willing to offer the F-35, but it seems that no formal dialogue has begun. The US earlier refused NATO ally Turkey, because like India, Ankara had acquired the S-400 air defense system from Russia. The S-400 reportedly has sensors that will be able to record the F-35's electronic signature. Also, the US prefers that India first buy a fourth-generation aircraft in the MRFA competition before the F-35 can even be considered. Clearly, there are complex geopolitics at play. India remains cautious about US pressure and geopolitical unpredictability – especially as Washington strengthens ties with Pakistan. These factors make the F-35 offer unlikely or impractical. The Su-57 is a more viable candidate. It is combat-tested in Syria and Ukraine. Russia has offered to set up Indian production and share technology. The Su-57 evolved from the Indo-Russian FGFA project (2007), which itself derived from Russia's PAK FA program. India exited in 2018 due to concerns over cost, performance, and work-share imbalance. Since then, Sukhoi has continued Su-57 development. The export variant, the Su-57E, debuted at MAKS 2019. It has since appeared at several global airshows, including in China and India. Russia has produced around 42 Su-57s and ordered 30 more. The estimated cost ranges from $35-50 million, potentially $60-75 million with local production – still cheaper than the F-35. Russia is also developing the Su-75 Checkmate (LTA) – a single-engine, AI-enabled fighter meant to compete with the F-35 and J-35. It had its maiden flight in 2024, with induction targeted for 2027. The Su-75 is intended to compete with fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and China's Shenyang J-35. The aircraft is designed with AI integration for enhanced capabilities. Russia has also offered to upgrade the Su-30 MKI to Su-35 technology standard, or make Su-35S in India with full Transfer of Technology. Also on offer is the Russian stealth drone Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B which forms Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) with Su-57, and the long-range R-37M AAM. Challenges remain: Su-57 production is slow but increasing. Russia remains focused on the Ukraine conflict. Sanctions complicate payments. India's oil imports have worsened the trade balance, though it is easing with falling prices. The IAF also already operates a 60% Russian fleet and may wish to diversify. The way ahead for India With China's air capabilities expanding rapidly, regional players such as Japan, South Korea, and India must invest in advanced fighters to maintain deterrence. China's growing lead may soon become insurmountable. The F-35 is not on the table. The Su-57 is a time-sensitive, cost-effective option that will be cheaper. The existing Russian aircraft production lines will be useable to some extent. The decision may anger the Americans, but that is not new. GCAP could be viable long-term, but its partners are US allies and may align with US platforms such as the Boeing F-47. For India to be part of the big league, the AMCA must succeed. In addition to two squadrons of Su-57, it may be worthwhile to quickly build a large inventory of 4.5-generation fighters such as the LCA Mk2 and Rafale, and get long-range air-to-surface missiles (BrahMos II) and longer-range AAMs like the Astra III or the Russian R-37M. India must avoid reactive decisions – but the time to act is now.
DW
21-07-2025
- DW
Pakistan: Police arrest suspect in viral honor killing video – DW – 07/21/2025
The viral video shows a Pakistani woman holding a copy of the Quran, somewhere in the Balochistan desert, before she was shot. She reportedly married against the wishes of her family. Pakistani authorities on Sunday arrested a suspect after a viral video on social media showed a man and a woman being shot and killed for marrying against their family's wishes. The practice, known as "honor killing," is a fairly prevalent one in Pakistan and some neighboring countries where eloped couples are killed to "restore" the family's social standing and reputation. Honor killings also occur in other situations where the partiarch deems the family's honor has been affected by women's actions. In this instance, the unidentified couple was shot on the orders of a local tribe council in the southwestern Balochistan province, local authorities ascertained after an investigation. Provincial chief minister Sarfraz Bugti, in a statement, said one of the suspects had been arrested under terrorism laws once the people in the video were identified. The video, taken in a desert amid pickup trucks, shows the woman being given a copy of the Quran. She then tells a man: "Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me." The man followed her for a few steps when she said, "You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that." The man then aimed the pistol at her and shot her three times. The woman did not cry or seek mercy but simply dropped to the ground after the third shot. The video then showed the bloody corpse of a man lying on the ground beside her. The men are then shown shooting at both bodies. DW could not independently verify the video. Some 1,000 women are killed in Pakistan by close relatives, usually fathers, brothers or sons, every year in honor killings, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. In most cases, the killer escapes punishment due to a controversial clause in Pakistan's Islamic law which allows relatives of the victim to pardon the killer. While the nation moved to partially abolish the law in 2016, honor killings are still practiced. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif shared the video on X, urging people to stand up against unjust and oppressive systems instead of raising their weapons against the state.
Qatar Tribune
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Outrage in Pakistan after video of couple's killing goes viral
DPA Islamabad Pakistani authorities on Sunday arrested a suspect believed to have been involved in the gruesome killing of a couple, after a video of the incident sparked outrage on social media. The suspected honour killing saw the couple gunned down for marrying by choice and was apparently filmed by the perpetrators. The incident took place in the south-western province of Balochistan, where tribal customs and traditions often prevail. 'A case has been registered and a suspect has been arrested under terrorism laws,' Sarfraz Bugti, chief minister of Balochistan, said in a statement. 'Law will take its course in this heinous matter,' he said. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also shared the video on his X account, urging people in the volatile province to raise their voices against the 'unjust' and oppressive system that continues to prevail instead of raising arms against the state. 'The tribes and individuals seen in the video have been identified and police have started a search operation to arrest them,' Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the provincial government, said. Around 1,000 women are killed in Pakistan by close relatives – fathers, brothers and sons – every year on the pretext of saving family honour, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). In most cases, the perpetrators escape punishment because of a controversial Islamic clause in Pakistani law that allows relatives of the victim to pardon the perpetrator.
