Adampur, Punjab: In a moment of symbolism and strategic messaging, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to the Adampur airbase has laid to rest Pakistan’s recent claims of having destroyed India’s S-400 air defence system.
A photo of PM Modi waving to air force personnel with an MiG-29 and a fully intact S-400 system in the backdrop has now become a powerful counter to Islamabad’s disinformation campaign.
Pakistan's False Claims on S-400 Destruction
Last week, amid escalating tensions after Operation Sindoor, Pakistan claimed its JF-17 fighter jets had struck the Adampur airbase, damaging India's advanced Russian-made S-400 system. It even circulated supposed satellite imagery to support its claim. However, the images lacked any indicators of actual damage, no blast marks, no structural debris, and no disruption of the airbase’s layout.
PM Modi’s visit, and particularly the images released thereafter, directly undercut this narrative. The S-400, often referred to as India’s “Sudarshan Chakra” for its defensive capabilities, was clearly operational, standing tall and untouched.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar called it a “masterclass in fact-checking,” stating on X, “Just the Prime Minister standing tall with our heroes, reality silencing propaganda.”
PM Modi's Strategic Adampur Visit
PM Mpdi's unannounced morning visit to Adampur, India’s second-largest airbase, served not only as a morale boost to the armed forces but also as a message of defiance to Pakistan. The base has been at the center of recent military activity, successfully intercepting drones and missile attacks launched in retaliation to India’s anti-terror operations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness,” PM Modi said in a post on X. “India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation.”
Adampur has long held strategic significance, especially during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, when it remained unbreached despite being a primary target. Just 100 kilometers from the international border, it continues to be a cornerstone of India’s northern air defence architecture.
