Pakistan claimed its missiles hit the runway at the Air Force base in Adampur in Punjab and put the base out of action for a year. Pakistan claimed its China-made JF-17 fighters destroyed the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system stationed there. Pakistan claimed it had destroyed fighter jets and radar stations. Pakistan also claimed it had killed 60 Indian soldiers in its assault.
Pakistan, government sources told NDTV Tuesday, was lying.
But the best counter is, perhaps, to point to Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s photograph from the base this morning; the PM interacted with soldiers stationed there and saluted their courage.
The salute was also a potent message to Pak – the S-400’s missile stack was in the background.
This is possibly the first publicly released image of an S-400 missile defence system, which is hailed as one of the best in the world and of which India has three squadrons with two more to come.
Sources said the Pak Army used morphed satellite images of the Adampur base – which played a key role in repelling waves of missiles and drones fired last week – to make ludicrous claims.
PM Modi Visits Adampur
“Earlier this morning, I went to Air Force Station (AFS) Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness,” the Prime Minister said on X.
Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation. pic.twitter.com/RYwfBfTrV2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2025
“India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation.”
Officials said Mr Modi landed at Adampur (clearly the runway is just fine) at 6.15 am and was there for nearly an hour. The brief visit followed his address to the nation last night, in which he hailed India’s soldiers for their bravery in the 100-hour missile-and-drone war against Pakistan.
READ | “India Eternally Grateful”: PM Visits Soldiers At Adampur Airbase
The Adampur base was one of several targeted by Pakistan on Friday and Saturday nights (i.e., May 9-10) in retaliation for Operation Sindoor, was India’s miltiary response to Pahalgam.
Pak forces also attacked bases in Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir and other miltiary installations across Rajasthan and Gujarat, as also civilian populations in Punjab’s Ferozepur.
India has also claimed attacks on schools and medical centres, which Pak has denied.
Pak, meanwhile, has made similar claims, which were rubbished by the Indian forces, who said their attacks had been ‘calibrated’ to only disable terrorist and rival military infrastructure.
Indian forces had launched precision strikes against nine terror bases in Pak and Pak-occupied Kashmir, in an attack the PM said last night encapsulated the new doctrine against terrorism.
The strikes prompted military retaliation from Pakistan, which continued for the next three nights before a ceasefire, facilitated by United States President Donald Trump, took effect.
READ | Future Talks With Pakistan Only On PoK, Terror: PM Modi
In a 22-minute address to the nation last night Mr Modi warned Pakistan against trying to violate that ceasefire, declaring that Operation Sindoor will be re-activated if necessary.
Mr Modi also ruled out any future talks with Pak – whom India has repeatedly accused of supporting cross-border terrorism – unless these are to do with the return of PoK and the removal of terrorist infrastructure in that country.
NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.
