How India's Ghost Jets Humiliated Pakistan

 

"Operation Sindoor: How India's Ghost Jets Humiliated Pakistan and Rewrote the Rules of Modern Warfare"

 

An invisible strike. A deafening defeat.

A mind game that shook a nuclear nation.

 

Published on May 21, 2025, at 07:32 PM IST

On May 7, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed Operation Sindoor, a landmark operation that showcased India’s technological ingenuity and strategic brilliance. Launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, the operation targeted nine terror sites and eight Pakistani airbases. Central to its success was the use of “ghost jets”—unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) engineered to mimic the radar and infrared signatures of Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and MiG-29 fighter jets. These decoy drones deceived the Pakistani Air Force (PAF), exposing their defenses and enabling a devastating assault. Pakistan’s failed cover-up and China’s fast-tracked delivery of J-35A stealth jets at a 50% discount highlight escalating regional tensions. Rooted in dharma from Hindu scriptures and Sikh teachings, Operation Sindoor is a testament to India’s moral and technological supremacy. This post explores the intricate deception, the drones’ technology, global comparisons, and the operation’s broader implications.

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The Trigger: A Terror Attack and India’s Response

On April 22, 2025, Pakistan-based militants from Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba attacked Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians, including tourists. India’s response, Operation Sindoor, struck nine terror sites and eight airbases across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The IAF’s use of decoy drones achieved zero casualties while exposing Pakistan’s military vulnerabilities, as reported by Hindustan Times.

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Caption: India’s decoy drones and missiles struck deep into Pakistan.

Source: Fetch from Maxar Technologies or generate AI image (prompt: “Map of Pakistan with airbases, blue drone paths, red missile strikes, military style”).

Definition: A strategic map showing the operation’s scope, engaging readers and illustrating India’s reach for policymakers.

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Ghost Jets: How India Fooled Pakistan’s Radars

The IAF’s “ghost jets” were the operation’s masterstroke, deceiving Pakistan’s air defenses by mimicking the radar and infrared signatures of Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and MiG-29 jets. Here’s how it worked:

Deception Mechanism

The IAF deployed pilotless target aircraft (PTAs) programmed to emit radar cross-section (RCS) and infrared signatures identical to those of fighter jets. These drones, likely including the DRDO Lakshya and Banshee Jet 40+, were equipped with electronic countermeasures (ECM) and radar enhancers to simulate the flight profiles of combat aircraft. When Pakistan’s HQ-9 and LY-80 systems detected these signals, they registered a large-scale incursion, prompting the PAF to scramble J-10C and JF-17 Thunder jets and activate missile defenses. This revealed critical radar sites, command hubs, and warplane deployments, which the IAF targeted with precision strikes. “The IAF turned Pakistan’s radars into their own worst enemy,” noted analyst Anil Kantony on X.

Technology Behind the Drones

The drones’ ability to deceive relied on advanced technologies:

• Radar Cross-Section (RCS) Amplification: The Lakshya drone, developed by DRDO, uses payloads like Luneburg lenses or corner reflectors to amplify its RCS, making it appear as a larger aircraft like the Su-30MKI (RCS ~10–20 m²) or Rafale (RCS ~1–2 m²). These devices reflect radar waves to mimic fighter jet signatures.
• Infrared Signature Simulation: Drones were fitted with heat-emitting elements to replicate jet engine exhausts, fooling infrared-guided missiles and sensors. The Banshee Jet 40+ can incorporate heating modules to simulate the thermal profile of a Rafale’s Safran M88 engines.
• Electronic Countermeasures (ECM): Both drones carry jamming systems to disrupt enemy radars. The Lakshya’s ECM suite can emit false signals, while the Banshee supports decoy flares and jamming pods, confusing Pakistan’s HQ-9 active radar guidance.
• Flight Dynamics: With speeds of 700–720 km/h and evasive maneuver capabilities, these drones replicated the flight patterns of fighter jets, enhancing their credibility as threats. The Lakshya performs high-G turns, while the Banshee’s jet propulsion mimics fast-moving jets.
• Multi-Layered Deception: The IAF deployed multiple drones with varying RCS and infrared profiles, simulating a coordinated squadron. This forced Pakistan to spread its defenses thin, diverting assets from actual strike zones where BrahMos missiles were launched.

Likely Drone Models

• DRDO Lakshya: A high-speed, reusable PTA used for air defense training, the Lakshya is equipped with payloads to amplify RCS and infrared signatures. Its 700 km/h speed, evasive maneuvers, and ECM capabilities made it ideal for Operation Sindoor. Its low cost and reusability allowed mass deployment.
• Banshee Jet 40+: A UK-designed drone used by India, the Banshee is versatile, with radar enhancers, jamming systems, and 720 km/h speed. Its ability to simulate multiple aircraft types complemented the Lakshya, creating a convincing deception.
• Shikra (Anadrone Systems): An indigenous evolution of the Banshee under the Make-II program, the Shikra adds advanced ECM and modular payloads, tailored for electronic warfare and deception. Over 600 units have been delivered, per IAF History.

Execution of Deception

The operation began at 1:05 AM IST on May 7, 2025, with decoy drones entering Pakistani airspace. Programmed to fly in formation patterns mimicking fighter squadrons, they triggered Pakistan’s HQ-9 systems and prompted J-10C scrambles from bases like Nur Khan and Bholari. The drones’ ECM disrupted radar locks, while their signatures lured PAF jets to incorrect zones, away from the IAF’s BrahMos and Scalp missile strike paths. Real-time intelligence from Netra AEW&C aircraft mapped Pakistan’s activated defenses, enabling targeted strikes. The deception lasted 26 minutes, culminating in a barrage that crippled PAF infrastructure.

 

Caption: Drones deceived Pakistan’s radars with fighter jet signatures.

Source: AI-generated (prompt: “Split radar screen, green blips, ‘Decoy UAV’ vs. ‘Rafale,’ military aesthetic”) or source from The Drive.

Definition: A visual comparing radar signatures, clarifying deception for readers and policymakers.

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Global Comparisons: Battle-Tested Decoy Drones

India’s decoy drones are not unique but represent a cutting-edge evolution of deception technology. Here are battle-tested drones with similar capabilities worldwide:

• U.S. ADM-160 MALD (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy): Used in Iraq and Syria, the MALD mimics F-16 and F-35 signatures, with RCS amplifiers and jamming payloads. It flies at Mach 0.9 and uses ECM to disrupt radar locks, diverting SAMs. Unlike the Lakshya, it’s expendable but costlier (~$300,000/unit).
• Russia’s Kronshtadt Orion-E: Deployed in Ukraine, this drone simulates Su-35 signatures with radar reflectors and ECM suites. Its 800 km/h speed and infrared emitters fool air defenses, similar to the Banshee’s capabilities.
• Israel’s IAI Harop: Used in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Harop combines deception with loitering munition capabilities. It mimics fighter jet RCS and infrared signatures, drawing fire before striking radars, akin to India’s Harop drones in Operation Sindoor.
• China’s GJ-11 Stealth Drone: While primarily a strike UAV, it can simulate J-20 signatures for deception, tested in Taiwan Strait exercises. Its stealth coating and ECM are less versatile than India’s multi-profile drones.

India’s drones stand out for their cost-effectiveness (Lakshya ~₹50 lakh/unit) and indigenous design, aligning with Make in India. Their reusability contrasts with expendable systems like MALD, and their multi-aircraft simulation surpasses single-profile drones like the Orion-E.

Description: Diagram of a Lakshya drone, labeling RCS amplifiers, ECM suite, infrared emitters, and jet propulsion.

Caption: India’s decoy drones used advanced tech to mimic fighter jets.

Source: AI-generated (prompt: “Diagram of DRDO Lakshya drone, labeled RCS amplifiers, ECM, infrared emitters, military style”) or source from DRDO.

Definition: A technical illustration explaining drone deception, engaging tech enthusiasts and policymakers.

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The Final Assault: Pakistan’s Defeat

With Pakistan’s defenses exposed, the IAF launched Harop and Harpy drones, followed by BrahMos and Scalp missiles, striking:

• Nur Khan (Rawalpindi): Hit by BrahMos, per Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif.
• Bholari (Karachi): Lost AWACS aircraft, crippling surveillance.
• Sargodha, Murid, Skardu: Neutralized jets and logistics.

Pakistan’s claim of downing five Indian jets (three Rafales, one Su-30MKI, one MiG-29) was debunked by Economic Times, confirming only decoy drones were engaged. India’s S-400 and Akash systems downed over 600 Pakistani drones and missiles, ensuring no counterattack succeeded.

Description: Image of BrahMos missile launching from IAF platform.

Caption: BrahMos missiles devastated Pakistan’s exposed bases.

Source: Fetch from Hindustan Times or generate AI image (prompt: “BrahMos missile launch, IAF platform, desert backdrop, smoke trail”).

Definition: A dynamic image capturing the assault’s intensity, exciting readers.

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China’s Proxy Play: J-35A Jets to Pakistan

China is fast-tracking J-35A stealth fighters to Pakistan at a 50% discount, with deliveries by August 2025, per News18. Pakistani pilots are training in China, signaling a proxy strategy against India. The J-35A, rivaling the F-35, features stealth and internal weapons bays, but Pakistan’s pilot readiness is limited, requiring years to master fifth-generation systems The Print. This positions Pakistan as China’s “test lab,” escalating tensions CNN.

 

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Dharma in Warfare: Scriptural Wisdom

Operation Sindoor reflects dharma—righteousness and duty—from Hindu scriptures and Sikh teachings.

Quote 1: Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 31)

• Sanskrit:

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि |

धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते || 2.31 ||

• Hindi:

अपने धर्म को देखते हुए तुम्हें विचलित नहीं होना चाहिए। क्षत्रिय के लिए धर्मयुद्ध से बढ़कर और कुछ नहीं है।

• English:

Considering your duty as a warrior, you should not waver. For a Kshatriya, there is nothing more noble than a righteous war.

• Word Meaning: Svadharmam (own duty), avekshya (considering), na vikampitum (not waver), dharmyaddhi (righteous war), shreyah (noble), kshatriyasya (for a warrior).
• Context: Krishna urges Arjuna to fight for justice. India’s precise response to terrorism upholds dharma.

"ਸੰਯੋਗਿ ਸੰਜੋਗਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਲਿਖੁ ਪਾਇ"

“संयोग और संजोग से वही मिलता है जो प्रभु ने भाग्य में लिखा है।”

"Sanyog sanjog milai so har likhia likh paae"

Word-by-word: Sanyog (opportunity) | Sanjog (destiny) | Milai (one attains) | Har (God) | Likhia (written) | Likh (record) | Paae (receive)

Bhavarth: We act in accordance with Divine Will, but must be prepared when destiny calls.

“शत्रु विनाशाय धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे।”

“धर्म की स्थापना और शत्रु के विनाश के लिए मैं प्रत्येक युग में अवतार लेता हूँ।”

"Śhatru vināśāya dharmasaṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge"

Word-by-word: Shatru (enemy) | Vināśāya (for destruction) | Dharma (righteousness) | Saṁsthāpanārthāya (to establish) | Sambhavāmi (I appear/incarnate) | Yuge Yuge (in every age)

Bhavarth: Upholding righteousness often requires eliminating evil. Operation Sindoor symbolized dharmic action born out of necessity and principle.

Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru, was the first to formalize Miri and Piri—temporal power and spiritual responsibility—as two swords. Operation Sindoor stands as a modern embodiment of this philosophy: Shastra (strategy and strength) in service of Shaastra (wisdom and righteousness).

 

 

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Lessons for Policymakers

Operation Sindoor offers insights:

• Technological Self-Reliance: India’s indigenous drones (Lakshya, Shikra) outperformed imported systems, a model for autonomy.
• Escalation Control: Zero-casualty strikes prevented nuclear escalation.
• Global Arms Race: China’s HQ-9 failures weaken its arms exports.

China’s J-35A deal escalates tensions, but Pakistan’s pilot readiness limits its impact. India must advance its AMCA and Super Sukhoi programs to counter stealth threats.

Description: Table comparing Lakshya, MALD, Orion-E, Harop, and GJ-11 on RCS simulation, ECM, and battle experience.

Caption: India’s decoy drones rival global systems.

Source: Generate with Canva or fetch from ORF. AI prompt: “Table comparing Lakshya, MALD, Orion-E, Harop, GJ-11, labeled ‘RCS, ECM, Battle Experience,’ military style.”

Definition: A comparison table highlighting India’s drone capabilities for readers and policymakers.

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Conclusion: A New Era of Warfare

Operation Sindoor redefined warfare through decoy drone deception, leveraging Lakshya and Banshee drones to mimic Rafale, Su-30MKI, and MiG-29 signatures. By fooling Pakistan’s radars with RCS amplifiers, ECM, and infrared emitters, India exposed and neutralized PAF defenses. This indigenous technology rivals global systems like the MALD and Harop, cementing India’s place as a tech-driven superpower. Pakistan’s cover-up and China’s J-35A deal highlight shifting dynamics, but India’s dharma-guided strategy—balancing strength and righteousness—sets a global benchmark. Guided by the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, and Guru Hargobind’s Miri and Piri, Operation Sindoor is a triumph of innovation and morality.

 

About the Author: Raman Malik

Raman Malik is a political analyst and personality with a keen interest in South Asian geopolitics and defense strategies. Known for his ability to preempt global moves, Raman brings a strategic vision to his analyses, often focusing on the broader implications of regional conflicts. His art of listening allows him to deeply understand complex situations, providing insightful perspectives on international relations and security dynamics. Through his work, Raman seeks to highlight India’s growing role on the global stage.