CCP Detractors Report IAF Strikes Destroyed Chinese-Made HQ-9 Missile Systems in Pakistan

SOURCE: AFI

On May 11, 2025, Vision Times (also known as Kanzhongguo), a news outlet affiliated with Falun Gong—a spiritual movement critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)—reported that the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully destroyed a Chinese-made HQ-9 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system in Pakistan. The HQ-9, a long-range semi-active radar homing (SARH) SAM developed by the People’s Republic of China, has been a key component of Pakistan’s air defense network, supplied by Beijing to counter India’s aerial capabilities.

The destruction of the HQ-9 system highlights vulnerabilities in Chinese military technology, which Pakistan has heavily relied upon. The IAF’s success in penetrating and destroying the system using loitering munitions—often referred to as “suicide drones” for their ability to hover and strike with precision—demonstrates India’s advancing tactical capabilities. This operation follows reports of earlier failures by Chinese-supplied air defense systems, such as during India’s 2019 Balakot airstrike, where Pakistani defenses could not intercept Indian jets.

Vision Times, known for its anti-CCP stance, emphasized the symbolic blow to China’s military reputation, framing the incident as evidence of the inferiority of Chinese technology against Western and Indian systems. However, the outlet’s affiliation with Falun Gong raises questions about potential bias, as its reporting often seeks to undermine the CCP. While the Indian MoD’s confirmation lends credibility to the claim, independent verification of the strike’s specifics remains limited, and Pakistan has not officially acknowledged the loss of the HQ-9 system.

The incident underscores the intensifying military rivalry in South Asia, with India leveraging advanced munitions to counter Pakistan’s Chinese-backed defenses. It also casts a shadow over China’s role as a military supplier, as the HQ-9’s failure to intercept Indian munitions echoes criticisms of its performance in other conflicts. As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer, the international community watches closely, wary of further escalation in a region armed with nuclear capabilities.

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