India proclaimed its technological superiority over Pakistan’s foreign-made weaponry on Wednesday, specifically citing Chinese defence systems Pakistan’s military used during the recent clashes – New Delhi’s first official notice that China had indirect involvement in the lethal dispute.
In a statement by its information wing about what India calls Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, New Delhi claimed that the Indian Air Force had successfully “bypassed and jammed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems”.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, when India struck nine alleged “terror bases” in Pakistan – in retaliation, Indian officials said, for the April 22 killing of 26 tourists in Kashmir, a region claimed by both countries. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, calling it an act of terrorism, while Pakistan has denied the allegation.
The May 7 strikes were followed by a sharp escalation: Pakistan sent hundreds of drones into Indian territory, India targeted Pakistani military facilities, and the air forces of both nations engaged in dogfights during the next three days. Indian officials have described the ensuing missions as part of Operation Sindoor.
Amid mounting international pressure and fears of a potential nuclear escalation, India and Pakistan agreed on Sunday to a ceasefire. However, New Delhi described it as merely an “understanding” and a temporary “pause”.
“On the morning of May 8, the Indian Armed Forces targeted air defence radars and systems at multiple locations in Pakistan. An air defence system in Lahore was neutralised,” the statement said.
