The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out precision strikes on military targets in and around Karachi, Pakistan, during Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director-General of Operations for the IAF, confirmed in a special briefing on Sunday evening. Air Marshal Bharti stated that the strikes were part of India’s “measured and calibrated” response to Pakistani aggression.
This included drone and missile attacks, small arms fire, and artillery shelling across the Line of Control. He confirmed the IAF had targeted military installations, including a surface-to-air missile site at Malir Cantonment in Karachi. “Malir Cantt. is a military base about 35 km from the city of Karachi,” the Air Marshal explained.
Radar Installations in Lahore and Gujranwala Also Targeted
The IAF also targeted radar sites in Lahore and Gujranwala in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Air Marshal Bharti said one of the radar stations, likely equipped with the Chinese-made HQ-9, was taken down by Israeli-made HARPY drones. Another radar site near Gujranwala was also hit.
The news of these successful strikes follows confirmation of the Indian Navy’s involvement in Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. India has linked the attack to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and accused the Pakistani deep state of orchestrating the assault.
Indian Navy Maintained Deterrent Posture off Karachi Coast
Vice Admiral AN Pramod confirmed the Navy had deployed its carrier battle groups, submarines, and aviation assets outside Karachi’s harbour to contain Pakistani maritime forces. “The Indian Navy remained in a ‘deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing’,” he said.
He further added, “This compelled Pakistani naval and air units to be in a defensive posture, mostly inside harbours or very close to the coast.”
Operation Sindoor: 25-Minute Precision Strike Across Pak and PoK
Operation Sindoor commenced at 1:05 am on May 7 with a 25-minute precision airstrike targeting four terrorist camps in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the strikes killed over 100 terrorists and destroyed terror infrastructure.
Pakistan Retaliated with Missile and Drone Strikes
Following the Indian operation, Pakistan launched a military counterattack with drone and missile strikes targeting Indian military facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab. These attacks triggered air raid sirens and blackouts in cities such as Chandigarh, Jaisalmer, and Pathankot.
Both countries accused each other of targeting civilians during the escalation. Three civilians sustained injuries in Ferozepur, Punjab, after a Pakistani drone strike, while a government official died in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir.
Fighter Jets Shot Down, Air Defence Systems Activated
The conflict saw both nations downing enemy fighter jets. India reportedly shot down an American-made F-16 and a Chinese JF-17, while Pakistan falsely claimed to have hit one of India’s French-made Rafale jets.
Over the next three nights, both air defence forces remained active, intercepting and neutralising incoming missiles. India responded with strikes on Pakistani air bases located in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Air Marshal Bharti said the IAF also hit airbases like Sagodha and Bholari, where F-16 and JF-17 aircraft were deployed. “This amounted to around 20 per cent of the Pakistan Air Force’s infrastructure,” he noted.
Satellite Images Show Damage to Terror Infrastructure
The Indian Air Force released satellite images showing the destruction of terrorist camps in both Pakistan and PoK. In contrast, India reported minimal damage to its own air bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj.
“Limited damage… to equipment and personnel,” was reported at these Indian facilities.
Ceasefire Brokered by US, India Warns Against Violations
Roughly 100 hours into the conflict, a ceasefire agreement was reached, facilitated by US President Donald Trump’s administration. The ceasefire has mostly held, although Pakistan violated the terms in the hours immediately after it was announced.
India has issued a stern warning against further violations. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has authorised bases along the western border to launch countermeasures if the ceasefire is broken again.
