The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and Mirage 2000 jets to carry out precision strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to government sources cited by CNBC-TV18.

The strikes, conducted during the intervening night of May 6 and 7, were in retaliation for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. In total, nine terror camps were destroyed.

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The operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was reportedly executed without crossing the Line of Control (LoC). The precision strikes were completed in a swift 25-minute window between 1:05 am and 1:30 am, Indian army disclosed in a press statement on Wednesday.

Now reports indicate, the IAF used Spice-2000 bombs—Israeli-developed precision-guided munitions, also used in the 2019 Balakot strike. SCALP missiles, which are known for their long-range precision and are equipped on Rafale jets were used as well. The SCALP can engage targets up to 250 km away without leaving Indian airspace.

What are Spice-2000 bombs?

The SPICE Family of autonomous system converts general-purpose and penetration warheads of 1000lbs and 2000lbs into ultra-smart precision, stand-off strike weapons capable of extremely accurate, simultaneous, high-volume attacks.  

Su-30 MKIs were deployed primarily for defensive roles, while the Indian Army targeted additional terror camps using artillery guns and drones. Of the nine camps, seven were struck by the Army and two by the IAF.

Dassault Rafale

India’s Rafale fighter jets, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, are being outfitted with the X-Guard fiber-optic towed decoy system—an advanced defense mechanism that helps them evade both air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI 

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2000, India began licensed production of the Su-30MKI at HAL’s manufacturing facilities. As of 2023, the Indian Air Force operated approximately 300 of these aircraft.

Mirage-2000

The Mirage-2000, a single-engine fourth-generation fighter jet, first took to the skies in March 1978. Over the years, it has evolved into multiple variants and remains in service with several countries, including India, the UAE, Qatar, Brazil, Taiwan, Greece, Peru, and Egypt.

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The terror camps destroyed in the strikes included

The Indian army has shared detailed reasons and videos to emphasise that the sites were selected based on credible intelligence and care was taken to avoid civilian casualties.