BrahMos in “Operation Sindoor”

By R Anil Kumar

• A report claimed that India used the BrahMos missiles to decimate targets inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which was confirmed by Islamabad through a statement after the ceasefire

• Alongside BrahMos missiles, India deployed precision-guided munitions such as the French-origin SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER bombs, both of which can be launched from Rafale fighter jets. Loitering munitions were also reportedly employed

OPERATION SINDOOR. India reportedly used BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to strike targets deep inside Pakistan during “Operation Sindoor,” marking the first known combat use of this weapon system.

The operation was launched on the night of May 7, 2025, as a retaliatory measure following the killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, an attack India attributed to Pakistan-based terrorist groups.

Indian forces targeted nine locations, focusing on major terrorist camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure while avoiding civilian, economic, or core military facilities, according to Indian statements.

Alongside BrahMos missiles, India deployed precision-guided munitions such as the French-origin SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER bombs, both of which can be launched from Rafale fighter jets. Loitering munitions were also reportedly employed.

The operation lasted approximately 23–25 minutes, with Indian aircraft not entering Pakistani airspace, suggesting stand-off launches of missiles and munitions. The strikes were described as focused, measured, and non-escalatory by Indian officials.

Notable sites hit included air force bases at Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Rafiqi (Shorkot), Murid (Chakwal), and others in Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad, and Sargodha, as well as radar installations at Pasrur and Sialkot.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly acknowledged the use of BrahMos missiles and characterized India’s actions as unprovoked aggression, leading to Pakistan’s own retaliatory operation, Bunyan-ul-Marsoos.

Both nations subsequently agreed to a ceasefire, though each accused the other of violations.

Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan escalated the conflict by launching drones at Indian cities, which were intercepted by India’s S-400 and Akash air defence systems. India responded in kind with its own drone operations over Pakistani territory.

Operation Sindoor represents a significant escalation in India-Pakistan hostilities, being the first instance where India has demonstrated the combat capabilities of the BrahMos missile in a real-world scenario.

The operation underscores the evolving nature of regional military engagements, with both sides employing advanced missiles, drones, and electronic warfare assets.

Statements from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry-indicate that BrahMos missiles were indeed used to strike strategic terrorist and military targets deep within Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

BRAHMOS-A SUPERSONIC MISSILE

India’s BrahMos, a supersonic missile was used to strike targets deep inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the missile cannot be intercepted by any known air defence systems, including those of Pakistan and China, a top official said.

A report claimed that India used the BrahMos missiles to decimate targets inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which was confirmed by Islamabad through a statement after the ceasefire.

BrahMos is a supersonic missile, cannot be intercepted by the air defence systems of Pakistan and China. It cannot be intercepted by any known Defence system in the world Said a Senior DRDO, Official. He said that India is a “superpower” when it comes to missiles.

“We have access and developed our own technology to meet any time of requirement of the Armed Forces. Nowadays, dogfights don’t happen.

The reason is that if any aircraft launches a missile, this missile will lock onto enemy aircraft. Once the aircraft is locked, it’s very difficult to evade,” he said.

These missiles can cause huge damage to the runways. Yes 11 May, the satellite images showed damage to the runway at Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase. It was one of the eleven airbases struck by the Indian projectiles.

Coming to the warhead – it uses a conventional warhead – it’s not nuclear. Within minutes, we can reach 300 km. It can cause huge damage to the runways. We have land-to-land version, land-to-ship, ship-to-land. We can launch Brahmos from Sukhoi-30 also. Our air defence system has proved that it can deny any tactic by adversaries,” he said.

The official informed that BrahMos can disable any use of the assets and is capable of inflicting severe damage.