F-16, AWACS, and JF-17s obliterated: India’s S-400 shields crush Pakistan’s air raid

What Triggered the Latest Air Defence Action by India? 

Operation Sindoor continued into Thursday night with a sharp escalation in military confrontation as Indian air defence forces successfully repelled a major aerial offensive launched by Pakistan. In what appears to be the most significant airborne clash since the Balakot and post-Pulwama skirmishes in 2019, India’s integrated missile defence and air surveillance systems intercepted and destroyed multiple airborne threats from Pakistani territory. The Indian Armed Forces reportedly shot down at least five Pakistani aircraft, including one F-16, two JF-17 Thunder jets, an AWACS surveillance aircraft, and one unidentified aerial vehicle. 

The air offensive was reportedly part of Pakistan’s retaliatory efforts in response to India’s Operation Sindoor strikes earlier in the week, which targeted nine terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The developments come amidst escalating military activity between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. 

Where Did the Air Clashes Occur? 

Indian defence sources indicated that the F-16 fighter jet was brought down in the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan. Two JF-17s, part of Pakistan’s China-supplied multirole combat fleet, were reportedly intercepted and shot down over northern airspace, while the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft was neutralised while attempting to coordinate an air incursion. While officials have not confirmed the precise airspace in which the AWACS was intercepted, its loss is seen as a significant setback to Pakistan’s airborne radar capabilities. 

Unconfirmed reports from security correspondents indicated that the AWACS was part of a wider aerial coordination effort intended to synchronise drone and missile launches on Indian assets across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Gujarat. The loss of this asset may have disrupted Pakistani strike coordination, further reducing its operational effectiveness. 

Which Locations Were Targeted in Pakistan’s Offensive? 

Pakistan’s aerial assault unfolded in waves late Thursday night. High-value targets in India’s north and west, including the Jammu airport, the Udhampur Army base, and several civilian and strategic locations such as cantonments in Akhnoor, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and a university campus in Jammu, came under threat. Drones were reportedly sighted in multiple sectors including the Kutch region of Gujarat, suggesting an expansive theatre of attack. This marks a coordinated cross-border attempt to destabilise Indian military readiness through precision strikes on logistical and population centres. 

How Did India Respond Using Its Air Defence Systems? 

India’s response was immediate and comprehensive. Its Integrated Air Defence Command (IADC) activated S-400 “Sudarshan Chakra” batteries across the northern and western front. These Russian-made, long-range surface-to-air missile systems tracked and destroyed multiple drones and incoming projectiles. Two drones were confirmed neutralised near Jammu University, while several other missiles and UAVs were intercepted en route to their targets. 

The S-400’s radar coverage and multi-tier tracking capability played a critical role in providing early warning and interception. This deployment, in combination with indigenous Akash surface-to-air systems and anti-drone measures, helped establish aerial superiority within Indian territory. 

What Tactical Measures Were Taken to Enhance Detection Capabilities? 

To strengthen air surveillance and reduce electromagnetic interference during active engagement, the Indian defence establishment ordered power shutdowns in targeted regions. Areas including Jammu, parts of Punjab, and western Rajasthan experienced temporary blackouts to aid radar detection efficiency. According to former Jammu & Kashmir Director General of Police, SP Vaid, who posted a situational update on X (formerly Twitter), there were “loud explosions—bombing, shelling, or missile strikes suspected,” accompanied by a “complete blackout in Jammu.” 

This precaution is consistent with standard counter-airstrike protocols, enabling radars to isolate and distinguish incoming aerial threats without electromagnetic pollution from civilian grids. 

What Is the Strategic Importance of the JF-17 and AWACS Losses for Pakistan? 

The destruction of two JF-17 Thunder aircraft and an AWACS platform represents a significant degradation of Pakistan’s frontline combat and surveillance capabilities. The JF-17, co-developed with China and seen as a cost-effective multirole jet, forms a considerable part of the Pakistan Air Force’s active fleet. It has been used to replace ageing F-7 and Mirage jets and was notably involved in the February 2019 dogfight with India. 

While the JF-17 has been positioned as Pakistan’s future tactical workhorse, its real-world combat performance has often been questioned by analysts. The loss of two such jets in a single operation may raise further concerns over their survivability against sophisticated Indian defence networks, especially in a scenario involving the S-400. 

The loss of an AWACS aircraft—responsible for radar surveillance, airborne coordination, and early warning—further weakens Pakistan’s ability to synchronise strikes, monitor Indian troop movement, and support long-range engagements. These aircraft are limited in number and expensive to replace, and their destruction is likely to have implications for future operational planning. 

How Did the Conflict Escalate So Rapidly? 

Thursday’s events mark the second wave of cross-border military escalation within 24 hours. Earlier in the day, Pakistani jets had attempted strikes on multiple Indian targets, including Srinagar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Bhuj. India had already activated its aerial defences, anticipating further retaliatory attempts following its own Operation Sindoor precision strikes. That initial operation had reportedly destroyed nine terrorist camps in PoK and Pakistani territory, prompting a series of retaliatory actions from across the border. 

Tensions have remained high since the terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of several Indian security personnel and civilians. India attributed the attack to terror outfits operating from Pakistani soil, triggering its counterterrorism doctrine under the “Right to Respond” framework. 

What Is the Broader Implication for Regional Security? 

This latest aerial confrontation raises significant concerns regarding stability in South Asia. With both nations deploying advanced air defence systems, conducting offensive and counter-offensive manoeuvres, and exchanging targeted strikes across a broad geographical arc, the scope for miscalculation and inadvertent escalation remains high. The presence of nuclear weapons on both sides adds to the gravity of the current situation. 

India’s ability to successfully intercept multiple aerial threats, particularly with S-400 systems, may serve as a deterrent against further Pakistani incursions. However, with confirmed military assets downed, including the F-16 and AWACS, Pakistan’s military command may feel compelled to respond again, especially in light of domestic political pressure. 

Diplomatic channels have reportedly remained open, but neither side has publicly acknowledged any backchannel negotiations or ceasefire discussions at this time. The Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue an official statement, while Pakistan’s Foreign Office has accused India of “aggression and violation of airspace,” which India denies. 

What Comes Next Amid the Rising Hostilities? 

With Indian air defences holding firm and successfully neutralising airborne threats, operational readiness remains high across both military and civilian sectors. Intelligence agencies continue monitoring cross-border activities for signs of further escalation. Troop deployments have been fortified along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), while airspace restrictions are expected to remain in place over sensitive northern sectors. 

The Indian Air Force is reportedly conducting combat air patrols (CAPs) across vulnerable corridors, while radar stations remain on high alert. As of Friday morning, no new cross-border engagement has been reported, though both militaries remain on heightened alert. 

The situation remains volatile and fluid, with the next 48 hours likely to determine whether the hostilities escalate into a broader conflict or stabilise through diplomatic restraint.