New Delhi: Pakistan allegedly went to extraordinary lengths to locate India’s S-400 air defence systems during the May 2025 hostilities, including activating spies and sleeper cells inside India, former Western Air Command chief Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) has revealed.
In an interview with ANI, Mishra said the S-400 posed a major challenge to Pakistan’s air operations and prevented its fighter aircraft from approaching within about 200 km of the Indian border. He also said Pakistan received satellite-based intelligence support from other countries.
Mishra said the Indian military had operational freedom during Operation Sindoor, with the government directing forces to avoid civilian casualties. He stated that India initially struck nine terror camps on May 7 following the Pahalgam terror attack, but Pakistan subsequently escalated its attacks.
According to Mishra, the Indian Air Force targeted Pakistani radars and command-and-control centres, disrupting its ability to coordinate aerial operations. He also claimed an S-400 intercepted an airborne radar platform at a range of 314 km.
Mishra further said women fighter pilots carried out multiple combat missions, including strikes on terror infrastructure and Pakistani military targets.