How India used 'dummy pilotless aircraft' during counter-strikes on Pakistani airbases

NEW DELHI: On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, the Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed 11 of Pakistan's 12 airbases, retaliating against Islamabad targeting 26 locations across India as a response to the successful "Operation Sindoor." India's air defence systems, however, thwarted Pakistan's attacks.Also Read | Operation Sindoor: How IAF bypassed Pakistan's China-supplied defence systems, destroyed military targetsAccording to an ANI report, the subsequent counter-strikes on airbases of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) began with the Indian forces sending across "dummy pilotless aircraft." These were camouflaged to appear as IAF jets on enemy radars.As expected, the PAF radars and air defence network got activated to take down the Indian 'incoming aircraft.' The IAF then launched the loitering munitions, including the Israeli-made Harops, targeting Pakistan's air defence radars and command and control systems.Pakistan's air force had to mobilise its entire set of its HQ-9 air defence missile system launchers and radars to different locations; some of these were detected following activation, despite being deployed at new locations.The IAF then followed up with its long-range missiles, including the BrahMos and Scalp, using these to attack the Pakistani air bases. As per reports, around 15 BrahMos, as well as the Scalp, Rampage and Crystal Maze, were launched in the offensive.Also Read | 'Pakistan ko andhere mein ujala dikhaya': Rajnath’s praise for IAF on Operation SindoorThe strikes marked the first time that the BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile system, has been used in an active conflict.The damages were so extensive that the PAF was forced to shift its aircraft to different bases in the rear. Also, it is likely to have lost a significant number of long-endurance drones and an airborne early warning and control aircraft during an IAF missile hit on a hangar at an airbase in the Sindh province.Defence sources told ANI the intensity of the strikes made Pakistan drop its plans for a counter to the capitulation of its air defence system. Islamabad urgently requested DGMO (Director General of Military Operations)-level talks to arrive at an "understanding" with New Delhi to put a pause to all military action going forward.The DGMO talks were held at 3:35 pm on May 10. Around two hours later, the two sides announced the ceasefire.