Operation Sindoor: India Downs Chinese Missiles, Turkish Drones with Indigenous Systems

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th May: In a strong show of military transparency and deterrence, the Indian Armed Forces on Monday displayed the remains of foreign-origin weapons used by Pakistan during recent hostilities, including the wreckage of a suspected Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missile and Turkish-origin YIHA and Songar drones. The debris was showcased at the National Media Centre in New Delhi as part of a briefing on the outcomes of Operation Sindoor, India’s swift military retaliation following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General Air Operations, confirmed the successful interception of these aerial threats using indigenous defense systems. “Our battle-proven systems stood the test of time,” he said, lauding the performance of the Akash air defense system in particular. Bharti credited recent policy and budgetary support for strengthening India’s air defense preparedness.

#WATCH | Delhi | The Indian military shows the debris of a likely PL-15 air-to-air missile, which is of Chinese origin and was used by Pakistan during the attack on India.

The wreckage of the Turkish-origin YIHA and Songar drones that were shot down by India has also been shown pic.twitter.com/kWIaIqnfkQ

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2025

Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai, Director General of Military Operations, remarked on the shift in terror tactics towards soft civilian targets. Referring to the April 22 attack, he said, “Pahalgam tak paap ka ye ghada bhar chuka tha,” indicating that the scale of brutality had prompted India’s decisive military action.

Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations, highlighted the tri-service coordination that enabled precise and proportionate retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor. He emphasized that the operation not only restored deterrence but also demonstrated India’s operational synergy in countering evolving threats.

The Indian military’s disclosure of foreign-supplied weapon debris comes amid heightened regional tensions and international scrutiny over external support for cross-border terrorism. India has reiterated its commitment to defending its sovereignty through calibrated, intelligence-led actions.