SOURCE: AFI

In a significant blow to Pakistan’s military ambitions, India’s Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system successfully intercepted and destroyed a Fateh-II guided artillery rocket during a recent engagement. The Fateh-II, developed by Pakistan and hailed by analysts as a game-changer capable of targeting India’s advanced S-400 air defense system, was touted for its precision and ability to evade radar detection. However, the Indian MR-SAM’s successful interception has cast serious doubts on these claims, highlighting the robustness of India’s air defense capabilities.

The Fateh-II is a guided artillery rocket system developed indigenously by Pakistan, with a reported range of 400 kilometers. Pakistani security analysts, including Umair Aslam, CEO of Global Defense Insight, an Islamabad-based security forum, have praised the system for its advanced navigation and avionics technologies, which purportedly enable high accuracy. Aslam claimed, “With the successful test of the Fatah-II, the Pakistani military has enhanced its capability to engage strategic targets, such as bridges and air defense units, located within a range of 400 kilometers.”

SOURCE: AFI

India’s recent missile strike on Rawalpindi’s Noor Khan Airbase has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s military establishment, serving as a stark reminder of India’s growing capability to target and neutralize critical strategic assets. The attack, described as Pakistan’s “biggest nightmare coming true,” has rattled the Pakistani Army leadership, particularly Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.

India’s message was unequivocal: it possesses the precision and firepower to decapitate Pakistan’s National Command Authority (NCA), the body overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal, should the need arise. This strike, part of India’s Operation Sindoor, marks a significant turning point in the India-Pakistan military dynamic, exposing vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s defense posture and raising questions about its nuclear deterrence strategy.

SOURCE: AFI

A viral video circulating on social media has captured a bizarre incident in Sialkot, Pakistan, where local citizens were seen attempting to damage Turkish-made Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones, mistakenly believing them to be Indian drones. The footage, which has garnered significant attention amidst the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, has triggered a wave of humorous reactions from Indian netizens, who have taken to platforms like X to mock the incident.

The video, which surfaced earlier today, shows a group of Pakistani citizens in Sialkot attacking a downed Byker YIHA III drone with sticks, stones, and even slippers. According to posts on X, the drone, a Turkish-made loitering munition supplied to Pakistan, reportedly malfunctioned and crashed within Pakistani territory shortly after being launched toward India. Unaware of its origins, the locals assumed it was an Indian kamikaze drone and began to “neutralize” it, with some even claiming on social media that they had shot down an Indian Rafale jet—leading to widespread amusement online.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant escalation of the ongoing India-Pakistan military conflict, an Indian missile strike has reportedly destroyed at least two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) IL-78 mid-air refueling tankers stationed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, according to open-source intelligence (OSINT) reports from the DFI Lite team (@DfIlite ). The strike, part of India’s Operation Sindoor, is said to have dealt a severe blow to the PAF’s operational capabilities, with both or at least one of the IL-78 tankers likely rendered inoperable due to the intensity of the explosion.

Nur Khan Airbase, located approximately 10 kilometers from Islamabad, is a critical logistics hub for the PAF. Renamed in 2012 from PAF Base Chaklala in honor of Air Marshal Noor Khan, the base houses key assets, including the No. 10 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Squadron, which operates the PAF’s fleet of four IL-78 aerial refueling tankers acquired in 2009. Additionally, the base is home to six SAAB ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, making it a nerve center for Pakistan’s air operations.

SOURCE: AFI

On May 10, 2025, at approximately 07:58 AM IST, videos circulating on social media platforms like X revealed significant damage to the runway of Shaikh Zayed International Airport in Rahim Yar Khan, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The footage shows a large crater in the middle of the runway, with debris scattered across the site, a result of what appears to be a precise missile strike by Indian forces. This attack is part of the intensifying military conflict between India and Pakistan, which has seen a sharp escalation over the past few days under India’s Operation Sindoor.

The attack on Rahim Yar Khan Airport appears to be a continuation of India’s retaliatory strategy. Posts on X, including videos shared by users, show the extent of the damage, with one clip highlighting a massive crater that renders the runway inoperable. Unconfirmed reports also suggest a simultaneous strike on the Sukkur Oil Refinery, indicating a broader campaign targeting critical Pakistani infrastructure. India’s Ministry of Defence has not officially confirmed the strike, but sources indicate that the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed air-launched missiles, potentially from Rafale jets, which have been active in the conflict, as evidenced by their use in earlier strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

SOURCE: AFI

A Turkish-origin loitering munition, identified as the Y?HA (Yüksek ?rtifa Harp Arac?), reportedly crashed or was shot down in the vicinity of Sialkot, Punjab province of Pakistan, raising speculation about a possible malfunction or a case of friendly fire.

Local residents in Sialkot observed the crash and fragments of what appeared to be a kamikaze drone, widely recognized as the Y?HA, were found in the area. The Turkish-built Y?HA loitering munition is used for precision strikes on enemy targets and has been supplied to several nations, including Pakistan.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development highlighting the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, images released by the U.S.-based Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) channel Aquila appear to show an Indian HAROP drone being tracked by a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet. The images, which have sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms like X, provide a rare glimpse into aerial surveillance operations along the contested border regions of the two nations.

The photograph, captured from what appears to be the targeting pod of a Pakistani F-16, shows a small, delta-winged unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) circled in red. The display overlay includes indicators such as “NOT SOI,” “ALL,” and “RDY,” suggesting the F-16’s systems are actively tracking the target. The UAV in question has been identified as an IAI Harop, a loitering munition developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and deployed by the Indian Air Force for both reconnaissance and strike missions. The Harop, often referred to as a “suicide drone,” is designed to loiter over a target area and strike with precision upon command, making it a potent tool in modern warfare.

SOURCE: AFI

On May 8, 2025, as Pakistan launched an audacious offensive involving 300-400 Turkish-made SONGAR drones targeting Indian airspace from Leh to Sir Creek, a disturbing tactic came to light: the deliberate use of civilian aircraft as shields. Indian defense sources and posts on X reported that three civilian flights departing from Lahore coincided with the drone incursions, raising serious concerns about Pakistan’s reckless strategy of exploiting commercial aviation to mask its military aggression.

According to Col Sofiya Qureshi, cited in posts on X, Pakistan orchestrated the drone swarm under the cover of commercial airspace, with three civilian flights—a Saudi Airlines Airbus A330, an AirSial Airbus A320, and a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boeing 777—departing Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport during the attack window. This timing was no coincidence. Indian defense officials assert that Pakistan deliberately synchronized the drone launches with these civilian flight departures to complicate India’s air defense response, effectively using innocent passengers as human shields.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, reports have emerged of an Indian missile strike targeting the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) No. 6 Squadron, nicknamed the “Antelopes,” at Nur Khan Air Base. The No. 6 Squadron, the PAF’s oldest transport squadron, operates a fleet of C-130 Hercules and CN-235 transport aircraft, playing a critical role in logistical and transport operations for the Pakistani military.

According to initial reports and visuals circulating on social media, one aircraft at the base appears to be engulfed in flames, with the fire centered near a C-130 aircraft parked on the tarmac. The extent of the damage to the aircraft, infrastructure, and personnel remains unclear, as official statements from both the Pakistani and Indian governments are yet to be released. The visuals suggest a precise strike, potentially aimed at disrupting the PAF’s transport capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed that Pakistan launched an unprecedented 300-400 Turkish-made SONGAR drones in a coordinated attempt to infiltrate Indian airspace across 36 locations, stretching from Leh in Ladakh to Sir Creek in Gujarat, on the night of May 8-9, 2025. The Indian Armed Forces, leveraging advanced air defense systems, including the S-400 and SAMAR platforms, successfully neutralized the majority of these threats, marking a decisive response to Pakistan’s aggressive maneuver.

According to official statements and posts on X, Pakistan deployed approximately 300-400 SONGAR drones, manufactured by Turkey’s AS?SGUARD, in a large-scale operation targeting Indian military installations along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border. The drones, identified as Turkish-origin by Indian defense officials, were launched across a 1,800-km stretch of Indian territory, from the high-altitude regions of Leh to the coastal marshes of Sir Creek.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially confirmed the successful deployment of its indigenously developed SAMAR (Surface-to-Air Missile for Assured Retaliation) system, marking a significant milestone in India’s air defense capabilities. The SAMAR system has proven its mettle in combat, effectively neutralizing drone incursions by Pakistan, establishing itself as a battle-proven platform.

The SAMAR system, developed by the IAF in collaboration with Indian defense industries, is designed to counter low-flying threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones. Equipped with advanced radar and missile technology, SAMAR provides rapid response and precision targeting, ensuring assured retaliation against hostile aerial intrusions. Its compact and mobile design allows for swift deployment across diverse terrains, making it a versatile asset for India’s defense forces.

SOURCE: AFI

As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer following Operation Sindoor, sources close to the Indian Air Force (IAF) have clarified that the advanced S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system is being selectively used against high-value targets, particularly Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft, rather than engaging low-cost threats like drones or Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), as speculated on social media. The S-400’s sophisticated radar systems, deployed over Punjab and Jammu, have played a pivotal role in deterring PAF aircraft, forcing them to launch payloads from ineffective distances and significantly limiting their operational success.

Contrary to social media speculation that the S-400 was primarily used to neutralize Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks on May 7-8, 2025, IAF sources emphasize that the system’s high-cost interceptors—priced at $1–2 million per missile—are reserved for “targets of interest,” such as PAF fighter jets like the J-10C or F-16, which pose significant threats to Indian airspace. “The S-400 is not designed to engage low-cost drones or MLRS, which can be effectively countered by systems like the Akash, L-70, or integrated counter-UAS grids,” a source stated. Instead, the system’s primary role has been to create a defensive umbrella that deters PAF aircraft from approaching Indian territory.

SOURCE: AFI

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is poised to become a pivotal hub for India’s defense manufacturing with the upcoming inauguration of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit. Built as a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the BrahMos missile is a cornerstone of India’s defense arsenal, known for its speed, precision, and versatility.

The new facility, set to be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 11, underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense production and the strategic importance of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.

SOURCE: AFI

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) appears to have suffered a significant strategic and tactical miscalculation in its recent attempted aerial strike — a misjudgment that cost it dearly. Banking heavily on overwhelming Indian air defenses through coordinated drone swarm attacks, the PAF’s strategy aimed to create temporary windows of vulnerability in India’s Integrated Air Defence ecosystem. However, far from achieving its objectives, the operation only served to expose Pakistan’s poor understanding of India’s layered air defense network and resulted in a devastating blow to its strike capability.

At the heart of the failed operation was the assumption that swarming low-cost drones — acting as decoys or reconnaissance elements — could saturate Indian Air Defence (AD) systems, forcing them to expend interceptors and exhaust radar bandwidth. In theory, this could have temporarily blinded or distracted the IAF and Indian Army Air Defence elements, creating exploitable gaps for PAF’s manned aircraft and standoff platforms to deliver their payloads of cruise missiles and air-to-ground munitions.

SOURCE: AFI

Sources close to the Indian Air Force (IAF), speaking to Air Force India (AFI), have confirmed that no pilots were lost during the large-scale ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a retaliatory strike conducted on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, which involved an estimated 80-90 aircraft, saw the deployment of advanced weaponry, including the air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and SCALP cruise missiles. However, IAF officials refrained from confirming whether all air assets involved in the operation remained intact, fueling speculation amid conflicting claims from Pakistan.

The operation was launched in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, primarily tourists, in Indian-administered Kashmir. Indian authorities attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), prompting a swift and coordinated military response. According to IAF sources, ‘Operation Sindoor’ was executed with precision, targeting terror camps in locations such as Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad, among others, within a 25-minute window. The operation utilized Rafale jets equipped with SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missiles for deep-strike missions and HAMMER precision-guided munitions for medium-range targets, alongside the BrahMos air-launched variant deployed from modified Su-30MKI fighters.