Army sources said that the image of Shaheen was erroneously picked up from the open source for the video that was compiled. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Speculation of a Pakistani nuclear-capable Shaheen ballistic missile fired on India being shot down by a S-400 air defence system went viral on social media on Monday (May 19, 2025) after a video put out by the Army’s Western Command the previous night concerning Operation Sindoor, showed the missile.

The video was taken down in the morning, and Army sources said that the images were used “for representation only” but it was erroneously not mentioned.

In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) rejected the “unfounded allegations” circulating in certain segments of the Indian media, which “falsely” claim that Pakistan employed the Shaheen missile.

The MFA said these claims originated following the release of a video by the “Indian Army’s official Twitter handle, purportedly showing the use of Pakistan’s Shaheen missile.” “Upon realising that the claim was unsubstantiated, the Indian Army promptly deleted the misleading video. However, by then, sections of the Indian media had already amplified the false narrative without verification,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the visits of senior officials and officers to forward locations in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor continue. On Monday (May 19, 2025), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan visited Suratgarh Military Station and Naliya Air Force Station, while Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited the desert sector in Rajasthan.

“Enemy Missiles neutralised. #IndianArmy – impregnable wall of fire,” the Chandimandir-based Western Command said in a post on ‘X’ late on Sunday (May 18, 2025) night with several hashtags including “#JusticeServed”. The video showed the Shaheen, Fatah missiles of Pakistan, among others, and in ‘India’s response’ showcased the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the Smerch and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems, among others. The post was deleted later in the day, but by then the video had already gone viral on X.

Army sources said that the image of Shaheen was erroneously picked up from the open source for the video that was compiled.

The Pakistani military has acknowledged the employment of long-range Fatah series missiles — F1 and F2 — as well as advanced munitions, long-range loitering killer drones, and precision long-range artillery against India between May 7 and 10 in the aftermath of India’s precision strikes on nine terror targets on the night of May 6-7, which has also been confirmed by officials here.

Forward area visits

The desert stretches from Jaisalmer to the Kutch region, witnessing a swift and coordinated operational response from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Border Security Force (BSF). Army officials interacted with troops at Longewala, Rajasthan, and appreciated them for the recent actions. “These joint actions not only blunted enemy intent but also established a new normal in maintaining operational dominance along the western front.”

As part of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army undertook rapid deployment of surveillance assets and air defence systems, in close coordination with the IAF and BSF, one official said adding that the calibrated positioning of weapon systems and other operational enablers, aligned with civil administration support, ensured effective area domination and neutralisation of potential threats

Gen. Chauhan, in a visit to Suratgarh Military Station and Naliya Air Force Station, interacted with the troops and emphasised the importance of “operational readiness and resilience in the face of evolving security challenges”. He was apprised of the air defence systems deployed in the operation.