Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the discovery of a missile booster and nose cap near Bikaner in Rajasthan has intensified speculation over the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) use of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles in its recent counter-offensive, Operation Sindoor.
Recovered from a remote stretch near the Indo-Pak border, the debris matches components typically associated with the initial discard phase of a BrahMos missile launch. While no official confirmation has come from the Indian government, defence sources suggest the missile was indeed deployed as part of India’s precision retaliation against cross-border terror attacks.
‘ब्रह्मोस’ अपने आप में एक ‘मैसेज’ है। pic.twitter.com/3Rh9ZbT5Gh
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 11, 2025
Bahawalpur Strike Fuels Speculation of BrahMos Deployment
The speculation gained momentum following the successful Indian strike on Bahawalpur, the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror network. According to intelligence inputs, the precision, depth, and timing of the strike strongly align with the operational profile of the BrahMos missile, known for its high speed and low radar visibility.
India’s retaliation followed a massive multi-vector assault by Pakistan involving drones, loitering munitions, and missiles over 26 locations ranging from Srinagar to Nalia, targeting both military and civilian areas.
In response, India executed precision strikes on a range of military targets in Pakistan:
Airbases: Rafiqui (Shorkot), Murid (Chakwal), Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian (Kasur)
Radar installations: Pasrur, Sialkot
Terror camps: Across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Bahawalpur
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According to officials, the strikes were designed to avoid civilian casualties while severely degrading Pakistan’s warfighting infrastructure.
IAF Confirms Operation Sindoor Is ‘Still Ongoing’
Even as a fragile ceasefire was declared, the Indian Air Force confirmed that Operation Sindoor continues. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the IAF wrote: “Since operations are still ongoing, a detailed briefing will be conducted in due course. The IAF urges all to refrain from speculation and dissemination of unverified information.”
Another post added that the operation was carried out with “precision and professionalism… aligned with national objectives.”
High-Level Briefings Refute Pakistani Claims
At a tri-service press briefing, Colonel Sophia Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated India’s stand on controlled escalation and targeted precision.
“Air-launched precision weapons were deployed effectively. Our forces remain committed to non-escalation, provided Pakistan respects the ceasefire,” Wing Commander Singh said.
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India also released time-stamped satellite images of Adampur, Sirsa, and Suratgarh to counter Pakistan’s claims of damage to Indian airbases. The imagery confirmed no destruction, labelling Pakistan’s narrative a “malicious misinformation campaign.”
Continued Volatility Along the Border
Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Within hours of the announcement, Pakistan resumed shelling in the Rajouri sector, while multiple drones were spotted and shot down near an Indian Army headquarters in Srinagar.
The Indian armed forces remain on high alert, with air defence units active across border states. The missile debris near Bikaner, possibly from a BrahMos, serves as a tangible indicator of the intensity and technological edge of India’s ongoing military operations.
