BrahMos likely used in precision attacks on dozen Pakistan air bases

It is learnt that air-launched precision weapons such as the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), an air-to-surface precision-guided munition, and the SCALP, an air-launched cruise missile, and the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles were likely used in the attacks.

The use of the BrahMos missile in the attack – there was no official word on it though – would mark the first-ever demonstration of the cruise missile in actual combat.

Both the HAMMER precision-guided munition and the SCALP cruise missiles can be launched from the IAF’s Rafale fighters.

The targets were chosen carefully, considering the Indian military’s decision to strike only identified Pakistani military targets, including technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas.

The PAF air base in Skardu is strategically critical due to its location in the north, and there are combat squadrons and a training facility at the Bholari air base.

The chosen targets were all located deep inside Pakistan. The PAF air base in Murid is located in Pakistan Punjab’s Chakwal district. It is home to its Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles and UAVs.

The Rafiqui air base houses advanced fighter squadrons of the PAF and is understood to have been at the centre of activities in the last few days. The Nur Khan air base in Chaklala houses the PAF’s air mobility command and is home to its refuellers and heavy lifters.

On Saturday morning, New Delhi said Pakistan’s actions overnight had been “escalatory” and “provocative”.

Pakistan attempted air intrusions at more than 26 locations from Srinagar to Nalia, which the Indian armed forces were able to “neutralise”. Confirming that “air launched precision weapons” were used to target Pakistan’s air bases, India also said that the Pakistani military had been observed to be “moving their troops into forward areas”.

Sharing these details, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who briefed the media along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, said, “Actions have been effectively countered and responded appropriately. Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military.”

They said Pakistan used drones, long range weapons, loitering munitions and fighter aircraft to target civilian areas and military infrastructure all along the western border.

Wing Commander Singh said air intrusion was attempted from Srinagar to Nalia at more than 26 locations and Indian armed forces successfully neutralised these threats.

“However, limited damage was sustained to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj,” she said.

She said several “high speed missile attacks (were) noticed subsequently, after 0140 hours in the night, at several air bases in Punjab, in a deplorable and cowardly act”.

Colonel Qureshi said that “targeting of civil infrastructure” took place when Pakistan attacked a health care centre and school premises at the air bases of Srinagar, Avantipur and Udhampur.

The two officers rejected Pakistan’s “malicious misinformation campaign with claims of destruction of the Indian Air Force station at Adampur, destruction of airfield in Sirsa, BrahMos base at Nagrota”. They also showed time-stamped photographs of the Air Force stations in Sirsa and Suratgarh to show that the infrastructure there had not been damaged.