Pakistan Used Spies, Sleeper Cells to Find India's S-400 During Operation Sindoor: Air Marshal

During India's Operation Sindoor, Pakistan employed extensive and desperate measures, including the use of spies and sleeper cells, in an attempt to locate India's Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system. Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra revealed these details in a recent media interaction, highlighting Pakistan's 'desperation' and their willingness to use 'every trick in the book' to find the crucial weaponry.

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The Pakistanis were desperate to find the S-400s during Operation Sindoor and employed all tricks in the book.

The S-400, referred to as ‘Sudarshan’ by India, played a pivotal role in countering missile threats from Pakistan following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Air Marshal Mishra stated that Pakistan left no stone unturned, utilizing air intelligence and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems in their search. He further asserted that Pakistan likely received satellite assistance from other countries in their efforts to pinpoint the S-400's location.

Air Marshal Mishra also appeared to criticize Pakistan's strategy, mocking their targeting of the Adampur airbase based on assumptions about the S-400's presence. This airbase was among several Indian Air Force bases, including Pathankot, Bathinda, and Udhampur, that Pakistan targeted on the night of May 9 and 10. The S-400 system, comprising missile launchers, a powerful radar, and a command center, is capable of engaging multiple aerial threats, including aircraft and missiles, at varying ranges and altitudes, making it a cornerstone of India's air defense.

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That (S-400) was the biggest threat as far as they were concerned…they had deployed spies, activated sleeper cells within our country to look for the S-400.

India has received five S-400 systems, with the fifth expected to be shipped in November this year. The country has also approved the acquisition of five additional S-400 systems, which possess the capability to neutralize any aerial target east of the Indus River in Pakistan, with a target range extending up to 400 kilometers. The system's effectiveness was particularly demonstrated during Operation Sindoor.

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I'm sure they were also getting satellite help from other countries.