Pakistan suffered a major loss during Operation Sindoor when its Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was destroyed in an Indian missile strike on the Bholari airbase near Karachi. Former Pakistani Air Marshal Masood Akhtar recently revealed details of the incident, stating that despite efforts by Pakistani pilots to secure the aircraft, they were unable to prevent the missiles from hitting the hangar where the AWACS was located.
The AWACS is a crucial component of Pakistan’s air defense operations, providing airborne surveillance capabilities and coordinating air battles. The loss of this aircraft significantly impacted Pakistan’s air surveillance and battlefield coordination capabilities.
Following the destruction of the AWACS, India targeted a total of 11 military sites across Pakistan, including airbases in Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad. The Indian government described the overnight strikes as a historic moment, marking the first successful attack on the airbases of a nuclear-armed nation in a single operation.
Indian forces used BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles in precise attacks on critical infrastructure at Pakistani airbases. The performance of the BrahMos missiles exceeded expectations, crippling key Pakistani air assets and defense networks. India’s use of decoy aircraft and loitering munitions further neutralized Pakistan’s air defense systems.
In response to the escalating conflict, Pakistan’s military admitted that one of its aircraft had suffered “minor damage” during the clashes with India. The admission came after India claimed to have shot down several Pakistani aircraft in retaliation for Pakistan’s actions following Operation Sindoor.
The use of advanced missile systems and strategic military tactics by both India and Pakistan has intensified tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. The destruction of Pakistan’s AWACS aircraft highlights the significant losses incurred by Islamabad during Operation Sindoor, further complicating an already volatile situation in the region.
