[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

I would like to discuss blackout drills and their effects in modern day warfare.


Cheers

They still are somewhat relevant. Could limit reconnaissance capabilities of a range of equipments. Precision guided munitions could be somewhat restricted that also depend on visuals from cameras.
A blackout means very limited net connectivity. Could be useful in a number of ways attacks could happen.
Troops, supplies, hardware could still move in relative concealement. There could be other related benefits too.

Blackouts from the earlier age have no relevance today. The useage has definitely shifted.

Speaking about how it was dealt with in the recent mock drills. It was indeed made a mockery of. There were videos, do not know how genuine. People came out in the streets in hordes. Shouting like hooligans for the siren to alert the start of the drill and blackout. As soon as the lights went on one could hear lot of noisy chaos and mobile screens lighting the streets/roads.
People have no business here for being serious about anything. Even life. It was indeed like a 'go corona go' moment. The video i saw was purportedly from Bihar.

[locusjag]

There's this odd thing that we Indians are currently doing - we're fact-checking the very informational warfare that is being put out by India to demoralize Pakistanis online! It is best that we do not shoot ourselves in the foot and allow any content pass which would demoralize Pakistanis online. Every drop counts!

Originally Posted by Cyborg

I would like to discuss blackout drills and their effects in modern day warfare.

What I understand is that drone surveillance is constantly being done from across the border to evaluate targets to strike at. It's not always the case that operators will have infra-red low-light vision capability; a well-lit structure with clear evidence of human presence thus becomes an inviting target for a raging operator to wreak vengeance upon - exactly the same way they had murdered innocent tourists in Pehalgam. It's best to just turn off the lights in one's vicinity and stay safe.

Heck, I even remember reading on Bharat-Rakshak forum about an occurrence from the 1971 war when an IAF base and its vicinity had blackout rules in force and a farmer happened to be walking through his fields to a pond nearby to answer nature's call with a lit kerosene lamp. A PAF B-57 was in the same vicinity, looking for the airbase to unload its explosive cargo in the darkness. They simply took aim at the farmer as he alone had lit a light in the entire area and he perished.

[FlankerFury]

I see that the S-400 Air Defence System seems to be getting most of the limelight on social media for last night's drone shootdowns.
Figured I'd write an appreciation post for the unsung heroes, namely the indigenous Akash, Indo-Israeli MR-SAM and domestically upgraded L/70 and Shilka anti air guns that played an equally crucial role in keeping our skies safe.

The S-400 is a powerful deterrent but it'd be reserved for taking out high value targets like F-16's, J-10's, AWACS and ballistic missiles at long ranges.
Using these for intercepting low cost drones, while technically possible, isn't operationally sensible.


Akash Air Defense System


WikiMedia Commons | Akash Mk-1S

It's an indigenous surface-to-air missile system, developed by DRDO and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
Deployed by both, Indian Army as well as Indian Air Force on forward bases and in mobile formations.

It is often the first missile to engage hostile UAVs, cruise missiles and combat jets, due to its positioning being close to LoC and IB.


Bharat Electronics Limited | Akash ADS Architecture

It has an operational range of about 40-50kms and works in conjunction with various indigenous radar systems like the PESA (Passive Electronically Scanned Array) Rajendra troop level radar and early warning Rohini 3D Central Acquisition Radar.

Over 90% of this system is manufactured locally so it eliminates the need for expensive imports and ensures faster replenishment of stocks.

MR-SAM

It's a Medium Range Surface to Air Missile system developed jointly by DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is operated by all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. Often deployed to protect key installations that are deeper inland.

It bridges the gap between point defence short range and long range systems. Think of this as the second line of defense in the layered air defence shield.


tarmak007.blogspot | MR-SAM Architecture

It has an operational range of about 70-100kms, and is integrated with Israeli MF-STAR AESA radars which can detect and track a dozen targets simultaneously. It uses an active radar seeker which enables mid course guidance.

Unlike the Akash, this is fired vertically which gives it a quick response time for engaging fast moving targets in 360° field of coverage.

Due to it's sophistication and inclusion of licensed Israeli components, it has higher cost when compared to Akash.

Upgraded L/70 and ZSU 23-4 Shilkas

These are the last line of defense against aerial threats and usually engage small, slow moving hostile drones that slip through the initial layers.


Bharat Electronics Limited | L/70 Gun upgrade

Once a Cold War relic, this 40mm anti air gun has risen in relevance in this era of drone warfare. The BEL upgraded package includes an electro-optical fire control system, a digital fire control computer, and automatic gun laying capability.

Twitter | tracer rounds over Jalandhar

The tracer rounds seen in the above video clip are most likely from these upgraded L/70 guns.


Reddit | TankPorn | IA upgraded Shilka

These are Soviet built, anti air tracked vehicle armed with
4 23mm autocannons capable of firing a combined 3500-4000 rounds per minute.

The upgrade package includes an electro-optical fire control system, a modern digital computing suite and an AESA radar to detect, track and engage low flying targets.

[vzvish91]

Tip - follow PIB Fact Check & Ministry of External Affairs India channels on WhatsApp for official news updates.

[RedRaider]

I am worrried that we are using expensive military hardware to neutralize cheap Pakistani hardware ( read drones ) and when the time comes to deploy these counter measures against some deserving candidates ( read missiles, aircrafts, etc.), I hope that we do not find ourselves in a crunch situation.

I believe this may be a tactic deliberately being used by the opposition.

Of course this is assuming a long drawn out conflict.

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by DasAuto1985

Not going to follow any news outlets that uses the term Pak administered Kashmir instead of the correct terminology PoK. Say what you may about Indian news outlets, atleast they wont blatantly support the other side (atleast as of now)

Then except India based or India supported media houses or entities, one cannot follow any news outlet in the world.

POK is a political term, constitutionally right as per India.

"Pak Administered Kashmir" is used by the UN and media outside India to signify that the areas called "AJK" & "GB" are adminstered by Pakistan, yet does not denote sovereignty.
It provides them a neutrality and not side with any of the two nations in this matter. Hurts Indians? Of course!

POK has the following:

• President
• Prime Minister
• Chief Minister
• Governor
• Legislative Council
• Pakistan maintains defense
• Pakistan banks operate freely
• People issued with Pakistani passports and IDs
• "GB" & "AJK" even have their own supreme courts.

[Mr.Ogre]

Not sure about the Western or Indian media. But this is a compelling article which reflects upon how the world sees this war

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-...tion/105264552

[lifeinpune]

I follow The Jaipur Dialogues on youtube run by Sanjay Dixit who is an ex-bureaucrat and a Nationalist. There was a recent pod cast where two retired generals from armed forces were guests. These people have lead the modernization and transformation that was underway during their times. One of them was leading the revamp of the Air Defence system and explained what has been laid out in this post (War clouds after 26 Years). TL;DR we have a layered and integrated air defence system. Integrated between all the three services including vessels. We also have radars that can see upto 6000KM acquired from Russia. The long range is primarily meant for Ballistic missile detection. While some components are imported, the integration is completely indigenous. He was of course happy to see his work make a difference when it mattered, he was not surprised as this is what it was designed for.

Also, on the question of aircrafts being lost, it is very unlikely because long range stand-off weapons were used without the need to cross into their airspace. That is the main reason Rafales were acquired with advanced air to ground and air to air weapons package. The high unit cost was for the weapons package and service/support to maintain high operability. I doubt Air force will risk such a high value asset. I will believe such news only when it comes from the ministry's PIB.

[Alfresco]

A very relevant article by Shekhar Gupta -

https://theprint.in/national-interes...nking/2620633/

Quote - "Kashmir as the jugular (shah rag) is the standard fare of Pakistan Studies, a compulsory subject in Pakistani curriculum. But a chief had not made such a loud commitment on Kashmir for years. I’d read it as Munir bringing Kashmir back on the agenda. The tone reflected anger, desperation and, if I may add, alarm.


Why alarm? Think another date. India was to launch the Vande Bharat Express between Delhi and Srinagar on 19 April, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected.
That the inauguration was postponed because of bad weather is beside the point. Munir did not know this while making his speech. This train, the coming out party of Naya Kashmir, brought in that urgency and desperation.

[rrsteer]

Fear there has been a serious escalation. I live just at the edge of Jalandhar Cantt, have heard three explosions in the last hour or so - the sound was that of a deep explosion but not from the immediate vicinity. Hoping the Adampur airbase, which is closely is safe.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by RedRaider

I am worrried that we are using expensive military hardware to neutralize cheap Pakistani hardware ( read drones ) and when the time comes to deploy these counter measures against some deserving candidates ( read missiles, aircrafts, etc.), I hope that we do not find ourselves in a crunch situation.

I echo your concern. This happened in Israel who used their iron dome to bring down a huge number of small drones. I hope we did not use the expensive and more capable S400 against these small attacks. The Akash and Barak-8 are designed for short and medium range counter attack's and I hope the S400 are not used up. We have 3 batteries of S400, the remaining 3 of the original order to Russia are not yet delivered.

[NomadSK]

This poor country just celebrated the approval of a 1B$ loan from IMF and then they want to fight with India without even thinking about their citizens. Looks like soon China will annexe Pakistan, soon they have to pay back to their masters.

Just got the news from Jammu, some civilian houses have been damaged in early morning strikes.

When a rabid dog is dangerous for others, it’s time to kill that dog. This shows we are hitting hard and at right places, whatever propaganda media doles out.

[Gansan]

Some hardware will be lost, some personnel and members of the public will die. These are inevitable. War is a serious business.

Weilding "expensive" hardware to counter cheap ones of the enemy is also inevitable. After all the tools of war are meant to be used and used hard, not to be just flaunted. They are not objects of virtu to be displayed and admired!

Some of them will be lost in a war. At least we have the money to replace the loss quickly, the enemy doesn't.

[WhyMe]

Read some news regarding Balochistan rebels increasing their activity against Pak army. I wonder what Afghanistan is thinking right now. Would they also intensify their activity against Pak 🤔
I think the key for India is the China's role. If this conflict escalates and Pak asks for their help, will they increase their own activity on India-China borders which they always do 🤔. However they would also want to continue trade with India after Trump's tariffs. So that's some relief.
Initially I thought this won't last longer than a month or so after giving Pak a punishment, just like previous conflicts. But if India wants to up the ante than they must get some supporting words from America publicly just because it would give a psychological signal to China that India is not alone in this conflict. But on the flip side America loves conflicts around the world so it can sell more & more arms. Moreover they consider India as another proxy against China.

[searacer932]

These are the major terror attacks carried out by Pakistan on India in the past 25 years. Please note this does not cover the daily/regular killings that happen across the International Border / Line of Control as part of terrorists' infiltration. I am sure hundreds/thousands had lost their lives due to the daily infiltration (Om Shanti to all those lost Indian lives.)

We need a short term, mid-term and long-term solutions to address a terror state such as Pakistan for once for all.

Source of table: Various internet sources