On May 10, 2025, India launched its most decisive military operation against Pakistan in decades, delivering a comprehensive blow that exposed the fragility of Pakistan’s nuclear posturing. What began as a calibrated counter-terror operation swiftly escalated after Pakistan fired a ballistic missile — reportedly capable of carrying a nuclear warhead — towards Sirsa in India, prompting an overwhelming retaliatory response from the Indian Air Force.

For the third consecutive night, Pakistan had launched waves of drones and fighter jets along the western border. But the situation dramatically escalated when a Fatah-2 ballistic missile, with nuclear potential, penetrated deep into Indian airspace before being intercepted over Sirsa in a massive explosion. This blatant escalation crossed a red line. This was when BrahMos entered the picture.

India responded with ferocity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorised a retaliatory campaign “bigger in scale than Operation Sindoor," targeting Pakistan’s military infrastructure and strategic depth. Within hours, the Indian Air Force launched precision strikes on 11 major Pakistani airbases. Armed with BrahMos, HAMMER, and SCALP missiles, India devastated critical military assets in Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and beyond.

One of the most significant targets was the Nur Khan airbase near Rawalpindi — home to Pakistan’s military transport and air refueling capabilities and in proximity to the Strategic Plans Division, which oversees Pakistan’s nuclear command. The message was unmistakably loud: India has the ability to decapitate Pakistan’s nuclear command........

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