Missile aimed at Delhi shot down mid-air by India: Pakistani strike foiled over Sirsa

In a marked escalation of the India–Pakistan conflict, the Indian Armed Forces successfully intercepted and destroyed a Pakistani Fateh-II tactical ballistic missile over Sirsa, Haryana, thwarting an attempted strike aimed at the national capital, New Delhi. The mid-air interception occurred during the early hours of the morning, amid high alert across India’s northern air defence grid, which has been operating at full capacity since Pakistan launched a coordinated offensive involving both missile and drone attacks targeting strategic locations throughout the country.

According to defence sources, the Fateh-II missile, developed by Pakistan’s military-industrial complex for short-range precision strikes, was neutralized before it could exit Haryana’s airspace. The Indian Air Force and integrated air defence command initiated a rapid intercept after the missile’s launch trajectory was identified by early warning systems. This development marks one of the most serious escalations in the ongoing hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours since cross-border skirmishes intensified in late April 2025.

What is the Fateh-II Missile and Why Was It Used?

The Fateh-II is an advanced short-range guided missile system reportedly inspired by the Iranian Fateh-series rockets. Pakistan first showcased it in 2021 as a part of its growing arsenal intended for precision battlefield strikes. Unlike traditional unguided munitions, the Fateh-II is designed to engage high-value targets with GPS and inertial navigation systems, providing greater accuracy.

Experts say the use of the Fateh-II missile in this instance signals a tactical shift by Pakistan’s military to deploy more capable missile systems during cross-border escalations. Aimed at Delhi, the missile’s interception over Sirsa underscores the intended strategic messaging — to demonstrate strike capabilities deep into Indian territory. However, the interception negated the attempt and allowed India to claim a significant defensive victory.

How Did India’s Air Defence Intercept the Missile?

India’s interception of the missile was enabled by its multi-tiered air defence architecture. The missile was reportedly tracked by a mix of early warning radars and airborne surveillance platforms before the S-400 Triumf system was activated to neutralize the threat. The S-400, acquired from Russia, offers long-range air defence capabilities and has been integrated into India’s northern and western air command structures.

The defence matrix also includes India’s indigenous Akash missile system and the Israeli-made SPYDER platform, allowing overlapping engagement envelopes to counter multiple threats simultaneously. The success in shooting down the Fateh-II demonstrates the operational readiness of India’s missile shield and highlights how defence modernisation programs over the past decade have started yielding concrete strategic dividends.

Why Was Delhi the Intended Target of the Missile?

Delhi, as the national capital, houses the political, military, and strategic nerve centres of the Indian state, making it a prime target in any escalatory move. Analysts believe that Pakistan’s aim was to send a symbolic and psychological message by targeting the capital, even if the missile was intercepted before causing physical damage. The move follows India’s precision strikes earlier this week on three Pakistani Air Force bases — Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi, Rafiqi Airbase in Shorkot, and Murid Airbase in Chakwal.

These Indian retaliatory strikes, according to satellite intelligence and media reports, inflicted substantial structural damage on Pakistani military infrastructure, prompting an aggressive counter by Islamabad. The missile aimed at Delhi may have been a direct response to India’s recent cross-border targeting of Pakistani defence installations.

What Was Pakistan’s Broader Strategy Behind This Strike?

The missile launch was part of Pakistan’s broader campaign reportedly codenamed “Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos”, which includes simultaneous drone incursions and cyber disruptions. Over 26 strategic sites across India — from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat — were targeted through drone swarms and GPS-jamming operations, suggesting a coordinated attempt to degrade India’s response capabilities and sow confusion among military planners.

This approach aligns with Pakistan’s increasing reliance on hybrid warfare, combining conventional strikes with asymmetric methods such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), signal interference, and disinformation campaigns. By combining a missile strike with multiple low-cost drone incursions, Pakistan appears to be testing India’s layered defence readiness and crisis management threshold under sustained pressure.

How Has India Responded to the Missile Launch?

Following the missile interception, the Indian Armed Forces elevated threat levels across all northern commands, with strategic assets placed on high alert. Civilian air traffic was restricted in over 32 airports across northern and western India, including Delhi, Jaipur, Amritsar, and Ahmedabad. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) were issued, and air raid sirens were sounded in vulnerable districts, particularly in Jammu, Pathankot, and Bathinda.

In response to the escalation, India launched further retaliatory air and missile strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), reportedly targeting launchpads and radar facilities used during the Fateh-II strike. The Ministry of External Affairs also lodged formal protests with the Pakistani High Commission and briefed key international allies on the gravity of the incident.

What Is the Risk of Further Escalation?

The current phase of conflict marks the most dangerous India-Pakistan confrontation since the Balakot airstrikes of 2019. Unlike prior instances, this standoff has witnessed the use of medium-range ballistic missiles, extensive drone warfare, and coordinated cyber intrusions — all contributing to a higher threshold for retaliation and miscalculation.

The involvement of nuclear-capable delivery systems raises serious red flags for international observers. While both India and Pakistan possess second-strike capabilities, doctrines differ significantly, making de-escalation more challenging in the absence of structured dialogue. Global powers including the United States, China, and Russia have called for restraint and are reportedly in back-channel communication with both sides.

What Does This Mean for National Security and Regional Stability?

The successful interception of a missile headed for Delhi is not just a tactical win for India’s military; it is a critical validation of years of investment in strategic deterrence and multi-layered defence architecture. However, it also signals that the threshold for conventional conflict between India and Pakistan is rapidly diminishing, with both sides showing increased willingness to operate in grey zones.

The reliance on airpower, precision missiles, and drone swarms marks a shift in how future conflicts may play out between technologically evolving adversaries. With blackouts enforced across border areas and increased mobilisation of reserve forces, both countries are now on high alert.

Indian military leadership has thus far maintained a posture of “measured retaliation,” but pressure is mounting domestically for a more decisive and sustained response. How India balances its defensive successes with strategic restraint will determine the course of South Asian stability in the coming days.