SOURCE: AFI
On unverified reports surfaced claiming that an Indian Air Force (IAF) IAI Harop loitering munition (LM) targeted a Chinese-made HQ-16 (LY-80) surface-to-air missile (SAM) battery operated by Pakistan’s 4th Air Defence Regiment in Walton, Lahore. The alleged attack reportedly injured four Pakistani Army personnel and damaged at least one truck associated with the missile system, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Unconfirmed Pakistani sources, the strike occurred in a military area in Walton, a busy locality in Lahore, close to the border with India. The HQ-16 battery, a key component of Pakistan’s air defense network, was reportedly the primary target. Images circulating online show a damaged military truck that seems to be Mobile Command Post of the HQ-16 battery, with some reports suggesting an air defense radar may have been destroyed. While it has been confirmed that four soldiers that were part of the crew operating the SAM system were injured, though their conditions as been reported to be non-critical.
The HQ-16 (LY-80), an export variant of the Chinese HQ-16 SAM system, is a medium-range air defense platform capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 40-70 kilometers. Operated by Pakistan’s 4th Air Defence Regiment, it forms a critical layer of defense against aerial threats, including aircraft and cruise missiles. Damage to such a system could temporarily weaken Pakistan’s air defense capabilities in the strategically vital Punjab region.
No official statement has been issued by the Pakistani military or government regarding the alleged Walton strike, consistent with their cautious approach to sensitive military incidents. However, unverified Pakistani sources cited in X posts claim “some batteries” were damaged, suggesting the attack may have impacted multiple components of the HQ-16 system. Pakistan has reportedly placed its air defenses on high alert, with exercises involving F-16, J-10, and JF-17 aircraft ongoing since April 29, 2025.
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