SOURCE: AFI
In a significant display of its air defence capabilities, India successfully intercepted and destroyed a Pakistani Fatah-1 surface-to-surface missile over Sirsa, Haryana, around 12:15 AM on May 10, 2025. The missile, launched by Pakistan as part of its “Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos,” was targeting an undisclosed strategic location in India but was neutralized by the Indian Air Force’s Barak-8 air defence system, according to government sources. This incident marks a critical escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, following a series of cross-border drone and missile attacks.
The Fatah-1, an indigenously developed Pakistani missile with a reported range of 140 kilometers, is designed for precision strikes against tactical targets such as military bases and command centers. Pakistani military officials have claimed its advanced navigation system enhances accuracy, posing a challenge to regional air defence systems. However, India’s Barak-8, a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed jointly by India’s DRDO and Israel’s IAI, proved its efficacy by detecting and intercepting the incoming projectile. The Barak-8, with a range of 70 to 150 kilometers, is a key component of India’s multi-layered air defence grid, complementing systems like the Russian S-400 Triumf and the indigenous Akash.
The interception occurred in the western sector, specifically over Sirsa, a strategically located city in Haryana, approximately 250 kilometers from Delhi. Government sources confirmed that the missile was neutralized without causing casualties or damage to infrastructure, underscoring the precision and readiness of India’s air defence network. The operation was part of a broader Indian response to Pakistan’s aggressive actions, including drone attacks on 26 locations across northern and western India on May 9, 2025, which were also thwarted by India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and air defence systems.
This incident follows India’s retaliatory strikes on Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Rafiqi Airbase in Shorkot, and Murid Airbase in Chakwal, conducted earlier on May 9, 2025, in response to Pakistan’s attempts to target Indian military installations. Pakistan’s launch of the Fatah-1 missile appears to have been a direct counter to these strikes, with some reports suggesting it was aimed at a high-value target, possibly in the Delhi region. The interception over Sirsa highlights the growing intensity of the conflict, with Pakistan’s deep strike into mainland India marking a bold escalation.
The Barak-8 system’s performance in this operation reinforces India’s robust air defence capabilities, particularly against short-range ballistic missiles like the Fatah-1. The system’s ability to track and engage high-speed threats complements the S-400’s longer-range interception capabilities, creating a formidable shield against aerial projectiles. This success comes amidst Pakistan’s claims that its Fatah series, including the more advanced Fatah-II with a 400-kilometer range, can evade sophisticated air defence systems like the S-400. The interception of the Fatah-1 over Sirsa directly challenges such assertions, showcasing India’s technological edge in missile defence.
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