'False & baseless': PIB busts Pakistan claim of India's S-400 hit; clarifies image origin

NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Saturday dismissed as propaganda Pakistan’s claims that India’s S-400 air defence system was "damaged" during Operation Sindoor, the counterterror military strikes launched by India after the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

The PIB Fact Check wing clarified on X: "Some pro-Pakistan social media handles are circulating claims that India admits its S-400 being damaged by Pakistan."



It added, "Reports of destruction or any damage to an S-400 system are false & baseless."
Clarifying further, it said the image being circulated with these claims was actually from a Victory Parade held in Russia in May 2010.

The clarification followed reports after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliated terrorists opened fire on civilians, killing 26 people.

In retaliation, India carried out Operation Sindoor, striking nine major terror hubs, including Lashkar’s headquarters in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammad’s stronghold in Bahawalpur.

Pakistan responded with a barrage of drones and missiles, all of which were intercepted and neutralised by India, with the S-400 system playing a central role.

India subsequently struck back at Pakistan’s key airbases, including Nur Khan and Rahim Yar Khan. The exchange of hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours finally ended after Pakistan’s DGMO contacted his Indian counterpart to agree on a ceasefire across land, air, and sea.

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