'Pak deployed spies to find S-400s': Military official's explosive claim on Op Sindoor

NEW DELHI: Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, in an interview with ANI, claimed that Pakistan deployed spies and activated sleeper cells inside India during Operation Sindoor to locate S-400 air defence systems. Mishra stated that Islamabad utilized "every trick in the book" to identify the location of the systems, which the country considered its biggest threat following repeated instances of Pakistani aerial assets being intercepted by the S-400.

Mishra mentioned that Pakistan's efforts to track the system involved satellite support from other nations, air intelligence, and electronic warfare capabilities. He declined to specify the country providing the satellite assistance. The Adampur Air Force Station was reportedly targeted heavily by Pakistan due to its association with India's S-400 systems.

The S-400 showcased its long-range strike capability during Operation Sindoor by downing a large Pakistani aircraft at a distance exceeding 300 km. The system also engaged multiple aerial threats during the conflict. With the addition of the fourth S-400 system, the Air Force has expanded the geographical coverage of the air-defence network, enhancing its capacity to safeguard critical military and strategic assets.

The S-400's long-range detection, multiple interceptor options, and ability to engage various categories of aerial threats make it a crucial component of India's layered air-defence system.