Barely hours after a ceasefire was declared between India and Pakistan on May 10, tensions flared once again as Pakistan claimed it had destroyed India’s prized S-400 Triumf air defense system. The claim, made without verifiable evidence, follows a series of bold assertions from Islamabad amid a dramatic escalation of hostilities that began with Pakistan’s launch of “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos” — a military offensive purportedly in retaliation to India’s “Operation Sindoor” targeting terror camps within Pakistani territory.
The ceasefire, which was agreed to on May 10 and went into effect at 5:00 PM IST, already appears to be fraying. Explosions were reported across Srinagar shortly after the truce was declared, with political leaders and security officials expressing alarm over the rapid breakdown.
“What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” posted former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on X, reflecting widespread confusion and concern on the ground.
An Indian defense source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that ceasefire violations had occurred just hours after the announcement. “Multiple sectors along the LoC have come under shelling. Our response has been calibrated but firm,” the source said.
Among Pakistan’s most provocative claims was the alleged destruction of an Indian S-400 Triumf system stationed near Adampur, Punjab. Pakistani state media reported that the strike was carried out using a Chinese-origin hypersonic missile launched from a JF-17 fighter jet, suggesting the use of the CM-400AKG missile — a claim that was immediately picked up by Chinese state outlet Global Times.
India, however, has categorically refuted the assertion. According to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army, “Pakistan claimed that it damaged our S-400 and BrahMos missile base with its JF-17, which is completely wrong… Their misinformation campaign is vast, but unfounded.”
While social media posts later circulated a video of a JF-17 purportedly armed with a missile similar to the CM-400AKG, the footage could not be independently verified. Experts also pointed out that the mere sighting of a missile-equipped aircraft does not prove the success or accuracy of the mission.
“The S-400 is designed to resist exactly this kind of strike,” noted Air Marshal (retd.) Rakesh Tiwari. “Unless we see undeniable satellite or BDA [Battle Damage Assessment] proof, this remains, at best, an act of psychological warfare.”
India’s S-400 Triumf air defense system — known locally as Sudarshan Chakra — represents the apex of its multi-layered air defense architecture. Designed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey and developed for precision interception of diverse aerial threats, the S-400 is capable of tracking up to 100 targets and simultaneously engaging 36.
India signed a $5.43 billion deal in 2018 for five S-400 regiments, with the first unit arriving in December 2021. Two additional squadrons have since been delivered. The system’s broad spectrum of capabilities, including engagement ranges from 40 km to 400 km, makes it a formidable shield against hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and UAVs.
In recent days, the S-400 was reportedly used effectively to intercept drones and missile barrages aimed at Indian cities on May 8 and 9, in coordination with legacy platforms such as the L-70 anti-aircraft guns, ZU-23-2 systems, Schilka, and counter-drone systems.
This layered deployment has won praise from military observers and civilians alike. “The S-400 isn’t just a missile system. It’s a deterrent,” said Lt. Gen. (retd.) R.N. Kapoor. “It protects critical assets like command centers and nuclear sites. For Pakistan to say it took it out without visual confirmation is disingenuous at best.”
The dramatic escalation began with Pakistan’s launch of “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos” — a military operation it claims was a proportionate response to India’s earlier offensive against terror infrastructure in Pakistan, dubbed “Operation Sindoor.”
In a span of 36 hours, Pakistani state media alleged that it had destroyed several high-value Indian military targets:
- A BrahMos cruise missile storage site in Nagrota
- Artillery positions in Jammu
- Indian Air Force bases in Sirsa and Suratgarh
- Ammunition depots in Chandigarh and Vyas
- Multiple IAF fighters, including Rafales, MiG-29s, and Su-30MKIs
- India, however, has remained mostly tight-lipped on these claims, with official statements limited to denials.
Colonel Qureshi addressed these allegations head-on: “Pakistan has launched a strategic misinformation campaign aimed at domestic audiences. No such losses have occurred. All airfields, depots, and installations remain operational and intact.”
Analysts argue that the spate of unverified claims may be part of a deliberate effort by Islamabad to maintain domestic morale and political support, especially in the face of economic crisis and internal dissent.
“It’s classic information warfare,” said Dr. Meera Subramanian, a defense analyst at the Center for Strategic Studies in New Delhi. “By claiming they hit strategic assets like the S-400 or downed Rafales, they’re crafting a narrative of dominance. But without evidence, it’s propaganda.”
Pakistan has been known to rely heavily on digital platforms and state media for information control during times of crisis. China’s role in amplifying some of these messages — particularly through Global Times — has not gone unnoticed.
“China and Pakistan jointly developed the JF-17 and the CM-400 missile. It’s no surprise Chinese media is backing these claims,” said Arvind Rathore, a former RAW analyst. “But geopolitical signaling is not the same as battlefield success.”
India’s silence on the battlefield claims has raised eyebrows. While many see it as a sign of maturity and strategic restraint, others worry that the government may be underplaying the severity of the situation.
“This isn’t just skirmishing anymore. With multiple ceasefire violations and information attacks, we may be entering a phase of hybrid warfare,” said Major General (retd.) Nitin Ahuja. “India needs to communicate more clearly to its public and to the international community.”
The mention of the S-400 system — a Russian export — has placed Moscow in an awkward position. As the supplier of the high-value air defense system to India and a close defense partner of both nations, Russia is expected to seek de-escalation.
“Russia is unlikely to take public sides, but they’ll be closely watching how their system performs in a real-world conflict zone,” said Dmitry Frolov, a Russian defense expert. “If Pakistan’s claims are false, they damage credibility. If true, Russia will be under pressure to investigate.”
Russia has not officially commented on the matter as of this writing.
Global powers have expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation in South Asia. The United Nations called for restraint and urged both sides to honor the ceasefire in both letter and spirit. The U.S. State Department and European Union issued similar statements.
“There is no military solution to the India-Pakistan issue. Dialogue is the only way forward,” said UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.
China’s alignment with Pakistan in the messaging war may also complicate its already fraught ties with India. Indian officials have been monitoring Chinese troop movements near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), though there are no reports of cross-border incidents there during this flare-up.
Despite the ceasefire being technically in place, the risk of renewed escalation remains dangerously high. Both sides continue to exchange fire across several sectors, while intelligence inputs suggest more attacks could be in the pipeline.
“It’s a volatile situation,” said a senior Indian intelligence officer. “We are on high alert across the northern sector. Anything can tip the balance — another false flag, a terror strike, or even just bad weather obscuring radar readings.”
Pakistan’s claims of destroying India’s S-400 air defense system may ultimately prove to be hollow. Yet, the fact that such a statement could cause alarm highlights how deeply entrenched the India-Pakistan rivalry remains, and how quickly it can reignite — even in an age dominated by advanced technology, nuclear deterrence, and global diplomacy.
