Delhi-bound Fatah-II missile shot down over Sirsa

Indian radars detected a hypersonic ballistic missile — the Fatah-II — fired from Pakistan towards the national capital region this morning after which it was intercepted and shot down over Sirsa in Haryana.

An Indian air defence missile system in the layered air defence integrated grid brought down the missile that has a range of 450 km.

Sources said three systems were capable of bringing down a missile of this class. These were the Russian-origin S-400, the indigenous Akash NG and the Israel-origin MR-SAM.

One of these three engaged the missile near Sirsa, 220 km west of the national capital.

It exposed Pakistan’s claims of possessing latest military equipment and also highlighted India’s strong air defence systems.

The Fatah-II is a guided artillery rocket system developed by Pakistan. The missile was first officially tested in December 2021 by the Pakistan army. It is considered an upgraded version of the Fatah-I system, with extended range and better accuracy.

It is equipped with a terminal guidance system that helps it adjust its path during the final phase of flight. The missile uses inertial navigation combined with satellite guidance for mid-course correction.