Fatah: The ballistic missile that Pakistan calls its pride blown into pieces in Indian skies

The post-Pahalgam military engagement between India and Pakistan escalated further on Friday night and early hours of Saturday. The Indian Armed Forces intercepted and destroyed a long-range Fatah-II ballistic missile launched from Pakistani territory, reportedly aimed at the national capital, New Delhi. The missile was shot down over Sirsa, Haryana, marking one of the most serious and dangerous escalations in South Asia in recent years.

The attack was part of a broader offensive by Pakistan under its newly launched military campaign Operation Bunyanun Marsoos, translating to ‘concrete structure’, which included cross-border shelling, drone incursions and now the use of advanced missile systems. In a swift and powerful counterstrike, India responded with coordinated air and drone attacks on multiple Pakistani airbases and cities, causing heavy damage to key military infrastructure.

The Fatah-II: An overview

The missile intercepted by Indian forces was confirmed to be the Fatah-II, Pakistan’s latest addition to its long-range precision strike arsenal. The missile, developed and tested by Pakistan’s strategic forces and inducted into its army in early 2025, is a guided surface-to-surface missile with a range of up to 400 kilometres. It represents a significant leap in Islamabad’s military technology, far surpassing its predecessor, the Fatah-I, which had a range of just 140 kilometres.

What makes the Fatah-II particularly dangerous is its advanced guidance system and flat ballistic trajectory, designed to evade radar detection and interception. Pakistani military sources had earlier claimed that the missile would strengthen the country’s conventional deterrence. However, its operational use against a India’s national capital with huge civilian population — New Delhi — marks a stunning shift in Pakistan’s strategic calculus.

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According to senior Indian defence officials, the missile was tracked by India’s air defence system immediately after launch and neutralised in mid-air before it could reach a populated area.

Operation Bunyanun Marsoos: The opening salvo

The missile launch was just the most visible component of Pakistan’s new military operation, codenamed ‘Bunyanun Marsoos’, launched after days of drone attacks and cross-border aggression. The operation, according to Pakistani military statements, is aimed at targeting Indian military installations and “strategic depth assets.”

The campaign began earlier in the week with intensified ceasefire violations across the Line of Control, followed by coordinated drone attacks over two consecutive nights. On Friday night alone, Pakistani forces launched more than 300 drones targeting 26 Indian locations, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat.

While India’s air defence systems intercepted the vast majority of these drones, at least one attack in Ferozpur, Punjab, injured members of a civilian family — the first confirmed casualties on the Indian side. In response, Indian states along the border — Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — were placed on high alert and blackouts were enforced to reduce visibility for aerial surveillance and attacks.

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India retaliates

In a dramatic counteroffensive following the failed missile strike, India launched retaliatory strikes deep into Pakistani territory. According to top government sources, Indian forces used air-to-surface missiles and combat drones to strike three key airbases inside Pakistan: Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Rafiqi Airbase in Shorkot, Punjab and Murid Airbase in Chakwal.

In a late-night press briefing, Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed that the Nur Khan and Rafiqi bases had been hit, but described the damage as “limited”. He accused India of escalating the conflict and vowed a “measured but strong” response.

Pakistan sees Delhi as target

The targeting of New Delhi with a long-range ballistic missile was an unprecedented move. Never before has Pakistan openly attempted to strike India’s capital with such a powerful weapon system.

The Indian government has so far refrained from making a formal statement but has reiterated that all air force installations are secure and that India will respond with “full force to any threats against its sovereignty”.

Civilian life disrupted across the border zones

The escalation has already begun to affect civilians on the Indian side of border. Residents in Punjab and Rajasthan reported power cuts, blocked highways and intense shelling by Pakistan.

Border villages have seen mass evacuations and civil aviation in several northern regions has been temporarily suspended. Schools and government offices within 100 kilometres of the border have been ordered shut until further notice.