One photograph did all the talking. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unannounced visit to Adampur airbase on Tuesday morning was not just symbolic — it was strategic. In one now-viral image, Modi is seen waving to airmen with a MiG-29 fighter and an undamaged S-400 missile defence system clearly visible behind him.
This wasn’t just a morale-boosting stopover. The image served as a direct response to Pakistan’s earlier claims that its JF-17-launched hypersonic missile had destroyed India’s prized S-400 system. No debris. No craters. No truth.
“India is eternally grateful”
The Prime Minister shared photos from the base on X (formerly Twitter), writing,
“Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation.”
The visit lasted nearly 50 minutes, during which Modi interacted with air force personnel and senior commanders. A senior government official said,
“The sole purpose was to boost the morale of the armed forces who are giving a befitting reply to the drone and missiles shot by Pakistan.”
The Prime Minister was briefed about Operation Sindoor, its execution, and the operational readiness of Indian forces. Officials described the trip as “highly confidential” — even local administration was not informed. “The district civil and police administration were not aware,” Jalandhar’s Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal confirmed.
Also Read: 'Ghar mein ghuske maarenge', says PM Modi in his address to IAF personnel at Adampur base
Pakistan’s imagined victory
In the days leading up to Modi’s visit, Pakistan had launched a full-scale disinformation campaign. After its drone and missile attacks failed to inflict meaningful damage at Adampur, it shared a supposed satellite image of a “damaged” S-400 system.
But the image showed no sign of any strike — no visible impact, no equipment damage, and no structural breach. The patch of dirt Pakistan pointed to was just that — a patch of dirt.
Indian officials dismissed it as fake. So did the public.
“PM Modi walks into Adampur airbase, the very site Pakistan falsely claimed was 'destroyed'. Just the Prime Minister standing tall with our heroes — reality silencing propaganda,” Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar posted on X.
Another user added, “The propaganda by Pakistan that they managed to damage the S-400 site in Adampur goes to drain.”
Adampur: Strategic backbone of the North
Adampur is India’s second-largest airbase. Located just 25 km from Jalandhar and around 100 km from the Pakistan border, its strategic value has grown exponentially.
The base was a prime target in the 1965 war with Pakistan — yet it remained unbreached. Then, it operated MiG-21s and Su-7s. Now, it houses advanced MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI squadrons. In 2022, Adampur became the site of India’s first deployed S-400 system, dubbed the “Sudarshan Chakra”.
Adampur’s radar and surveillance capacity covers vast stretches of northern India, including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Rajasthan. It played a critical role during Operation Sindoor and the ensuing retaliation from Pakistan.
Between 9 and 10 May, Adampur was targeted by drones and missiles from across the border. These were intercepted mid-air. Still, not all threats were neutralised in the sky.
In Kanganiwal village, debris from a projectile injured a migrant worker, Satinder Kumar, and damaged several homes. On 12 May, another unexploded device was recovered and defused near a Markfed godown in Chuharwali village, close to the airbase.
Operation Sindoor: Message delivered
Modi’s visit followed his national address on Monday evening, where he hailed the success of Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched on 7 May, was India’s response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead.
Indian forces hit nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing over 100 militants. Groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen were among the targets.
“Operation Sindoor is now India's established policy in the fight against terrorism, marking a decisive shift in India's strategic approach,” PM Modi said during his address.
He also added, “The world once again witnessed Pakistan’s ugly face when senior Pakistani military officials attended funerals of terrorists.”
The Pakistani military’s attempt to retaliate — including the now-debunked S-400 strike — was part of its response before both countries agreed to a ceasefire on 10 May.
However, India has made its position clear: the pause in operations depends on Pakistan’s future conduct.
Modi’s presence at Adampur wasn’t just political theatre. It was a calculated move to send a signal — to Pakistan, to Indian citizens, and to the armed forces.
As former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said,
“I salute the courage and commitment of our armed forces — India stands strong because of you.”
The photograph of a Prime Minister standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his soldiers, with the very S-400 Pakistan claimed destroyed towering in the background, didn’t just debunk misinformation. It cemented India’s message: its defence is alert, active, and intact.
This wasn’t just a morale-boosting stopover. The image served as a direct response to Pakistan’s earlier claims that its JF-17-launched hypersonic missile had destroyed India’s prized S-400 system. No debris. No craters. No truth.
“India is eternally grateful”
The Prime Minister shared photos from the base on X (formerly Twitter), writing,
“Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation.”
The visit lasted nearly 50 minutes, during which Modi interacted with air force personnel and senior commanders. A senior government official said,
“The sole purpose was to boost the morale of the armed forces who are giving a befitting reply to the drone and missiles shot by Pakistan.”
#WATCH | At the Adampur Air Base, PM Narendra Modi said, "Indian Air Force has now become an expert in dodging the enemy not just with weapons, but also with data and drones."#OperationSindoor pic.twitter.com/SE5lNOZAhm
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2025
The Prime Minister was briefed about Operation Sindoor, its execution, and the operational readiness of Indian forces. Officials described the trip as “highly confidential” — even local administration was not informed. “The district civil and police administration were not aware,” Jalandhar’s Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal confirmed.
Also Read: 'Ghar mein ghuske maarenge', says PM Modi in his address to IAF personnel at Adampur base
Pakistan’s imagined victory
In the days leading up to Modi’s visit, Pakistan had launched a full-scale disinformation campaign. After its drone and missile attacks failed to inflict meaningful damage at Adampur, it shared a supposed satellite image of a “damaged” S-400 system.
But the image showed no sign of any strike — no visible impact, no equipment damage, and no structural breach. The patch of dirt Pakistan pointed to was just that — a patch of dirt.
Indian officials dismissed it as fake. So did the public.
“PM Modi walks into Adampur airbase, the very site Pakistan falsely claimed was 'destroyed'. Just the Prime Minister standing tall with our heroes — reality silencing propaganda,” Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar posted on X.
Another user added, “The propaganda by Pakistan that they managed to damage the S-400 site in Adampur goes to drain.”
Adampur: Strategic backbone of the North
Adampur is India’s second-largest airbase. Located just 25 km from Jalandhar and around 100 km from the Pakistan border, its strategic value has grown exponentially.
The base was a prime target in the 1965 war with Pakistan — yet it remained unbreached. Then, it operated MiG-21s and Su-7s. Now, it houses advanced MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI squadrons. In 2022, Adampur became the site of India’s first deployed S-400 system, dubbed the “Sudarshan Chakra”.
Adampur’s radar and surveillance capacity covers vast stretches of northern India, including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Rajasthan. It played a critical role during Operation Sindoor and the ensuing retaliation from Pakistan.
Between 9 and 10 May, Adampur was targeted by drones and missiles from across the border. These were intercepted mid-air. Still, not all threats were neutralised in the sky.
In Kanganiwal village, debris from a projectile injured a migrant worker, Satinder Kumar, and damaged several homes. On 12 May, another unexploded device was recovered and defused near a Markfed godown in Chuharwali village, close to the airbase.
Operation Sindoor: Message delivered
Modi’s visit followed his national address on Monday evening, where he hailed the success of Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched on 7 May, was India’s response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead.
Indian forces hit nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing over 100 militants. Groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen were among the targets.
“Operation Sindoor is now India's established policy in the fight against terrorism, marking a decisive shift in India's strategic approach,” PM Modi said during his address.
He also added, “The world once again witnessed Pakistan’s ugly face when senior Pakistani military officials attended funerals of terrorists.”
The Pakistani military’s attempt to retaliate — including the now-debunked S-400 strike — was part of its response before both countries agreed to a ceasefire on 10 May.
However, India has made its position clear: the pause in operations depends on Pakistan’s future conduct.
Modi’s presence at Adampur wasn’t just political theatre. It was a calculated move to send a signal — to Pakistan, to Indian citizens, and to the armed forces.
As former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said,
“I salute the courage and commitment of our armed forces — India stands strong because of you.”
The photograph of a Prime Minister standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his soldiers, with the very S-400 Pakistan claimed destroyed towering in the background, didn’t just debunk misinformation. It cemented India’s message: its defence is alert, active, and intact.
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