IAF missiles shot down JF-17 Thunder, AWACS flying 300 km inside Pakistan, two F-16s, and a C-130J during Operation Sindoor: Report

India’s May 10 airstrikes destroyed a Pakistani SAAB-2000 early warning aircraft 315 km inside enemy territory and took down multiple Pakistani fighter jets and a military transport aircraft, according to a HT report quoting Indian officials. During the May 10 military action, Indian Air Force (IAF) missiles struck key Pakistani aircraft and military targets across the border.

IAF Struck Pakistan Deep and Hard

A SAAB-2000 airborne early warning system was destroyed deep inside Pakistan, nearly 315 kilometres from the border. Indian sources also confirmed that the strikes downed a C-130J medium-lift transport aircraft, one JF-17 fighter, and two F-16 jets, both in the air and on the ground, HT report stated.

Operation Sindoor prompts limited Pakistani response

These strikes were part of India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to earlier tensions. Pakistan tried to respond with its own Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos, which began at 1:00 am on May 10 with a plan to target Indian air bases over the next 48 hours. However, the response ended within eight hours.

Indian airstrikes, launched from Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft using SCALP and BrahMos missiles, disrupted Pakistani operations and forced Islamabad to seek a ceasefire by reaching out to the United States by 9:30 am, according to people familiar with the matter.

Indian S-400 system engaged 11 times

India’s S-400 air defense system, deployed in Adampur, was activated 11 times during the operation. One of its confirmed hits was the Pakistani SAAB-2000 early warning aircraft flying hundreds of kilometers inside Pakistan’s airspace.

Multiple Pakistani air bases targeted

The first IAF strike reportedly disabled the northern air command-control network at the Nur Khan airbase in Chaklala. The final wave of strikes hit Jacobabad and Bholari airbases. By then, Pakistan had withdrawn from active confrontation and was appealing for a ceasefire.

Key Pakistani defense systems neutralized

On May 10, Indian missiles also destroyed a Chinese-supplied LY-80 air defense system in Lahore using a HARPY kamikaze drone. Another strike took out the HQ-9 surface-to-air system, the Chinese version of the S-300, in Malir, Karachi.

Earlier strikes hit terror camps

Prior to the May 10 operation, Indian forces had targeted nine terrorist camps on May 7. Seven of these were hit using loitering munitions by the Army, Air Force, and Navy. High-value targets in Muridke and Bahawalpur were struck using SCALP and BrahMos missiles with precision-guided accuracy.

Indian Navy held position off Makran Coast

The Indian Navy was prepared to strike the Karachi Naval Port on the morning of May 10, with warships positioned 260 miles off the Makran Coast. However, after a warning from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of potential retaliation, India held back. Later that day, the Pakistani DGMO requested a no-fire pact.