India Deploys BrahMos Missile in Unprecedented Strike on Pakistan
In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted targeted strikes on multiple Pakistani military installations deep within the country on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, reportedly marked the first combat use of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, though official confirmation from Indian authorities remains absent.
The IAF’s precision attacks hit key Pakistani air bases, including Rafiqui in Shorkot, Murid in Chakwal, Nur Khan in Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian in Kasur, as well as radar installations in Pasrur and Sialkot. Additional damage was reported at airfields in Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad, and Sargodha. The strikes were a retaliatory response to heightened cross-border hostilities, which intensified following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, last month.
The BrahMos, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is a two-stage missile featuring a solid propellant booster that accelerates it to supersonic speeds before detaching. Its second stage, powered by a liquid ramjet engine, propels the missile to nearly Mach 3 during its cruise phase. Capable of being launched from land, sea, or air, the BrahMos is designed for both anti-ship and land-attack roles.
The operation also reportedly involved other advanced munitions, such as the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) and the SCALP air-launched cruise missile, both deployable from the IAF’s Rafale fighter jets. The targets included technical infrastructure, command and control centers, radar sites, and weapon storage facilities.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised Operation Sindoor, highlighting the BrahMos missile’s role in showcasing India’s defense capabilities. Speaking at the inauguration of a BrahMos production facility in Lucknow, he congratulated the Indian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the operation’s success.
While Pakistan has acknowledged the strikes, claiming its air defenses intercepted some missiles, both nations have since agreed to a ceasefire. However, the use of the BrahMos in combat, if confirmed, represents a historic milestone in India’s military operations and a bold demonstration of its strategic reach.