India ‘threatens’ Turkiye with Brahmastra missile strike: reports

In a worrying escalation of rhetoric, Indian media outlets—allegedly influenced by the country’s intelligence agency RAW—have published provocative content suggesting that India could target Turkey with missile strikes, following Ankara's open support for Pakistan during the recent regional confrontation.

Citing unnamed defense sources, the reports claim that India could use its Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile, which can travel at speeds of up to 29,400 km/h, to strike Ankara within six minutes.

The articles refer to this missile as part of India's mythical “Brahmastra” arsenal, invoking ancient references to bolster the threat narrative. Security analysts and international observers have widely dismissed such claims as media sensationalism and strategic posturing, rather than any credible military planning.

Simultaneously, India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, a Turkish ground-handling firm operating in nine major Indian airports, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.

The revocation comes shortly after Turkey strongly condemned India’s military actions during the recent conflict with Pakistan and expressed solidarity with Islamabad.

Turkish-supplied combat drones, developed through defense cooperation between Ankara and Islamabad, are reported to have bolstered Pakistan’s strategic capabilities in its response to India’s failed “Operation Sindoor.”

Observers see India’s recent actions—both rhetorical and administrative—as attempts to pressure Turkey diplomatically and economically, amid India’s growing international isolation following Pakistan’s measured but decisive military countermeasures.

Read more: India blocks Chinese, Turkish news outlets on X over ‘Pakistani propaganda’

Despite the provocative tone of Indian media, Turkey has yet to issue an official response. However, diplomatic sources suggest that Ankara considers the threats “irresponsible, inflammatory, and inconsistent with international norms.”

Turkey has also reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and its right to support allied nations through legal defense and diplomatic channels.

Experts warn that such hostile language could further destabilize South Asia and strain India’s relations with other Muslim-majority countries that have historically aligned with Pakistan on Kashmir and related security concerns.

The use of missile threats in media discourse is especially alarming given the nuclear capabilities of multiple regional actors.