Key Points
- Indian Armed Forces conducted “Operation Andha” to blind Pakistan’s air defense systems, rendering their Air Force effectively paralyzed.
- Three critical air defense radars at Pasrur, Chunian, and Arifwala were simultaneously destroyed, crippling Pakistan’s ability to track incoming aircraft.
- The coordinated strikes hit 11 Pakistani airbases including Nur Khan (Chaklala), Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, and Jacobabad.
- Over 100 terrorists were eliminated during Operation Sindoor, including high-value targets involved in the IC814 hijacking and 2019 Pulwama attack.
- Satellite imagery confirms significant damage to Pakistani military infrastructure, with an estimated 20% of PAF infrastructure destroyed.
- Pakistan’s Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf and four airmen were killed during strikes on Bholari Air Base.
New Delhi: In a comprehensive joint press briefing on Sunday, May 11, senior Indian military officials revealed the full extent of “Operation Andha,” a sophisticated campaign that effectively blinded Pakistan’s air defense systems during the recent 100-hour conflict. The operation, part of India’s broader response following the Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrated India’s technological superiority and strategic precision.
“We Attacked Where Pakistan Was Hurt The Most”
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), explained the strategic thinking behind the operation: “We attacked where Pakistan was hurt the most.” This approach involved targeting not just terrorist infrastructure but critical military assets that would severely limit Pakistan’s ability to respond.
The Indian Air Force conducted precise, coordinated strikes against 11 Pakistani airbases across the western front, including Nur Khan (Chaklala), Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari, and Jacobabad. These bases were specifically chosen for their operational importance, including drone warfare command centers, air defense nodes, and aircraft deployment hubs.
The Systematic Dismantling of Pakistan’s Eyes in the Sky
Air Marshal AK Bharti provided detailed insights into how the Indian Air Force methodically destroyed Pakistan’s radar systems. “A decision was taken to strike where it would hurt, and towards that, in a swift, coordinated, calibrated attack, we struck its air bases, command centers, military infrastructure, and air defense systems across the entire Western Front,” he explained.
Three critical radar installations were simultaneously targeted and destroyed:
- Pasrur Air Defense Radar: This installation was strategically important due to its proximity to the Indian border, providing real-time surveillance to Pakistan’s military. It likely fed data to surface-to-air missile systems such as the Chinese-origin HQ16 and safeguarded nearby military installations, airfields, and command centers.
- Chunian Air Defense Radar: This system provided early warning by detecting aircraft, drones, and missiles. It was integrated into Pakistan’s comprehensive layered air defense network and was reportedly part of Chinese-made systems such as the HQ16 or HQ9.
- Arifwala Air Defense Radar: Located near Lahore and just kilometers from Amritsar, this radar provided crucial surveillance west of Punjab, tracking incoming aerial platforms. Without this system, the Pakistani military and air force were effectively “blinded.”
“They Kept Guessing”: Pakistan’s Complete Disorientation
The impact of Operation Andha was devastating for Pakistan’s defensive capabilities. Using a combination of high-speed jamming technology, low-level infrared radar blinding, and precise missile strikes, India completely paralyzed Pakistan’s air defense network.
“Pakistan Air Force could not even locate our planes; they kept guessing,” Air Marshal Bharti stated during the briefing, highlighting the complete disorientation of Pakistani forces. This technological superiority allowed Indian fighter jets to enter Pakistani airspace and destroy their targets with the Pakistani military unaware of when, how, or from where the attacks originated.
Broader Impact and Casualties
The strikes had significant consequences for Pakistan’s military infrastructure. According to Air Marshal Bharti, the operation led to the destruction of approximately 20% of Pakistan’s Air Force infrastructure. Various ammunition depots and bases housing F-16s and JF-17 fighter jets were hit, including Sargodha and Bholari.
At Bholari Air Base alone, more than 50 people were killed, including Pakistan’s Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf and four airmen. Satellite imagery released by Indian space analytics firm KawaSpace confirms direct hits on hangars and critical infrastructure at multiple bases, with visible debris and structural damage.
The Turning Point in the Conflict
Military officials described the air strikes on May 9 and the morning of May 10 as the “turning point” in the conflict and “hell fire by India.” These strikes represented the first instance of a country successfully damaging the air force camps of a nuclear-armed nation.
The operation was part of the broader Operation Sindoor, which also targeted terrorist infrastructure. DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai confirmed that strikes across nine terror hubs resulted in more than 100 terrorists killed, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed, who were involved in the hijacking of IC814 and the 2019 Pulwama attack.
As the ceasefire between India and Pakistan holds, Operation Andha stands as a testament to India’s strategic capabilities and technological prowess, demonstrating the country’s ability to conduct sophisticated military operations with precision and effectiveness.
