Air Marshal Bharti Praises Military's Preparedness and Homegrown Defense Tech
Indian Air Force Reveals Details on Alleged Attack on Kirana Hills, suspected nuclear storage site in Pakistan
In a press conference on Monday, Air Marshal AK Bharti addressed reports suggesting that the Indian armed forces targeted a nuclear facility at Kirana Hills in Pakistan during recent military operations.
Addressing the allegation, Air Marshal Bharti stated, "Well, I must confess, we weren't aware that Kirana Hills housed any nuclear installations. Let's set the record straight; we haven't bombed Kirana Hills or any of its alleged facilities," he clarified.
Rumors had circulated earlier that India had struck Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha, believed to be linked to underground nuclear storage beneath Kirana Hills.
Praising the Indian military's readiness and the performance of indigenous defense technology, Air Marshal Bharti emphasized, "One intriguing aspect of our campaign was the exceptional performance of our indigenous air defense weapons, like the Akash system. I must say, all our military installations continue to operate efficiently and stand ready for any assignment."
During the joint press briefing on Sunday, Air Marshal Bharti presented satellite imagery and visuals of extensive damage to Pakistan's air defense radars, airfields, and other military infrastructure. He confirmed that 11 Pakistani air bases were targeted, including radars in Pasrur, Chunian, and Arifwala.
The recent military actions were India's response to Pakistan's attempts to target 26 Indian locations, including critical air force bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, and Adampur, during the night of May 9-10. These actions were part of 'Operation Sindoor', launched by India on May 7, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation aimed to dismantle nine identified terror hubs across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Operation Sindoor Highlights
- Intelligence and Target Selection: The operation was based on detailed multi-agency intelligence identifying communication nodes of terrorists linked to Pakistan.
- Operational Ethics and Restraint: India maintained operational restraint and strategic superiority while avoiding civilian casualties.
- Results of the Strikes: High-value targets were eliminated, and significant terror infrastructure was destroyed.
Public opinion supports the Indian government's response, and families of those killed in the Pahalgam attack welcome Operation Sindoor as a necessary act of justice. Pakistan, however, retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Indian civilian areas and religious infrastructure but were successfully countered by India's security forces.
The current diplomatic status between India and Pakistan remains uncertain. Any future developments on a ceasefire would depend on ongoing diplomatic efforts or changes in the political landscape of the region.
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, the market for defense finance in India is projected to increase significantly, as the country invests in further development of indigenous defense technology, such as the Akash system, showcasing its efficiency during the campaign.
Meanwhile, the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector might find interest in sponsoring sports events to enhance brand visibility, given the recent sports-related tensions between India and Pakistan, with the global sports community closely monitoring the situation.
