New Delhi: In a major escalation of hostilities, Indian air defence systems successfully intercepted a Pakistani Fatah-II ballistic missile aimed at the national capital in the early hours of Saturday, according to military officials. The missile was neutralized over Sirsa, Haryana, by the Barak-8 missile defence system.
Around the same time, a suspected Pakistani drone was shot down over the old airfield in Srinagar, shortly after two powerful explosions were reported in the city. Officials confirmed the drone was intercepted by Indian defences, preventing potential damage or casualties.
The attempted missile and drone strikes follow Pakistan’s intensified provocations in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor. Defence sources reported that a volley of Fatah-1 and Fatah-II short-range ballistic missiles was launched by Pakistan late Friday night, all of which were intercepted mid-air by India’s integrated air defence systems — including the S-400 Triumf (of Russian origin), the Israeli co-developed Barak-8 Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), and India’s indigenously developed Akash SAM.
The Fatah-1 and Fatah-II, with strike ranges of approximately 140 km and 400 km respectively, are central to Pakistan’s conventional deterrence posture and are seen as a counter to India’s Cold Start doctrine.
Officials highlighted the success of India’s defensive response as a testament to its rapidly advancing air defence capabilities. At the forefront is the Barak-8 system, jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). With an operational range of up to 100 km, the all-weather missile system is designed to counter a wide array of aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters.
The coordinated use of Barak-8, S-400, and Akash systems underscores India’s layered defence approach, capable of detecting and neutralizing multiple threats across altitudes and ranges.
Saturday’s interception marks a sharp uptick in military confrontations along the India-Pakistan border, further stoking concerns over regional stability.
