NEW DELHI: Air Marshal AK Bharti underscored the effectiveness of India’s air defence systems in countering recent threats, while firmly denying any strikes on Pakistan’s Kirana Hills—a suspected location for nuclear installations.
#BREAKING: We didn’t hit Nuclear base of Pakistan: Air Marshal AK Bharti @adgpi pic.twitter.com/qtR5PvR70s
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) May 12, 2025
When questioned about whether Indian forces had targeted Kirana Hills, the Air Marshal responded with a sharp retort: “Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation, we did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there.” His remarks carried a tone of strategic ambiguity while dismissing speculation about Indian operations in the region.
India’s Air Defence Thwarts Drone & UAV Attacks
Air Marshal Bharti revealed that Pakistan had launched multiple waves of drones and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), all of which were successfully neutralized by India’s indigenously developed counter-drone systems.
He credited the country’s soft-kill (jamming) and hard-kill (interception) technologies, along with the expertise of Indian Air Defence personnel, for repelling the threats.
Akash System & Indigenous Defence Growth:
Highlighting the stellar performance of the Akash air defence system, Bharti emphasized that India’s battle-proven systems had stood strong against the challenges. “Putting together and operationalizing this potent air defence environment has been possible only because of the budgetary and policy support from the Government of India in the last decade,” he stated, acknowledging the push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
Future Warfare: A Cat-and-Mouse Game
The Air Marshal warned that modern warfare is evolving rapidly, with adversaries adopting new tactics. “This was a different kind of warfare, and it is bound to happen. God forbid, but if we fight another war, that would be completely different from this one,” he said, stressing the need for India to stay ahead of the curve. “It is a cat-and-mouse game, and we must continuously adapt to outmaneuver the enemy.”
Strategic Message to Adversaries:
The statements come amid heightened tensions and serve as a clear signal of India’s defence preparedness and retaliatory capabilities.
While maintaining that Kirana Hills were not targeted, the remarks also carried an undertone of strategic deterrence, reinforcing that India’s armed forces remain vigilant and ready for any contingency.
With indigenous systems like Akash proving their mettle and counter-drone technologies effectively neutralizing threats, India’s defence establishment appears confident in its ability to safeguard national security in an era of unconventional and hybrid warfare.
