Chinese state media, including the official Xinhua News Agency, reported the first combat use of hypersonic missiles on May 10, 2025, calling it “the beginning of a new era in military affairs.” According to Xinhua, Pakistan used Chinese-made CM-400AKG missiles to destroy an Indian S-400 air defense system located in Adampur, Punjab. The strike was carried out by a JF-17 Thunder fighter jet as part of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsus (Strong Wall), which Pakistan launched in response to Indian airstrikes. India denies shooting down the S-400, saying its air defense systems “successfully neutralized the threats” with minimal damage.

The escalation between India and Pakistan began after a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, where militants attacked tourists, killing 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali. The Resistance Front, a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. India accused Pakistan of supporting terrorists, which Islamabad vehemently denies, demanding an independent probe. On the night of May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, launching missile strikes on nine targets in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province, including training camps and launch pads. Pakistan called India’s actions an “act of war” and launched a retaliatory operation on May 10, attacking Indian military bases in Punjab and Kashmir, including air bases in Pathankot and Udhampur.

The reports of the S-400 destruction have caused a stir. The Pakistani military released a video showing the launch of a CM-400AKG from a JF-17, claiming that the hypersonic missile, capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 5, hit a target in Adampur. Chinese media emphasize that the success of the operation proves the superiority of their technology over Russian air defense systems, which India purchased in 2018 for $5,4 billion. However, the Indian side, citing Colonel Sophia Qureshi, claims that the attack caused only “limited damage” and most of the Pakistani drones and missiles were intercepted. Independent experts, including analysts from Clash Report, question the Pakistani footage, pointing out the lack of confirmation of the destruction of the S-400.