In a significant disclosure during the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh revealed that India destroyed 8–10 Pakistani fighter jets, including US-made F-16s and Chinese JF-17s, during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The Air Chief also dismissed claims made by Pakistan regarding losses on the Indian side, calling them “manohar kahaniyan” (fascinating tales).
This statement provides one of the first clear accounts of Pakistan’s losses during the operation and underscores the effectiveness of India’s precision strikes on both air and ground targets.
Operation Sindoor: A Quick Recap
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Air Force in response to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border in May 2025. The operation aimed to:
-
Neutralize air capabilities of Pakistan in the targeted regions.
-
Strike critical infrastructure such as radars, runways, command centers, and hangars.
-
Deter further aggression and ensure India’s air superiority in the region.
The operation reportedly targeted 11 Pakistani airbases deep inside the country, marking one of the most comprehensive air strikes in recent history.
Pakistani Aircraft Destroyed
According to AP Singh, Indian forces achieved significant air dominance during Op Sindoor:
-
4–5 Pakistani fighter jets including F-16s and JF-17s were destroyed in aerial combat.
-
An additional 4–5 jets were destroyed on the ground during precision strikes on airbases.
-
One Pakistani surveillance aircraft was also neutralized in the air.
The F-16 is a US-made multirole fighter jet, while the JF-17 is a Chinese-Pakistani joint venture aircraft. Both are considered key components of Pakistan’s air capabilities, making these losses particularly impactful.
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Ground Strikes and Infrastructure Damage
The IAF also conducted targeted strikes on critical ground infrastructure, crippling Pakistan’s operational capabilities. The attacks included:
-
Radars destroyed at four locations, blinding the adversary’s surveillance network.
-
Command and control centers hit at two locations, disrupting strategic operations.
-
Two runways rendered unusable, limiting air mobility.
-
Three hangars destroyed, wiping out parked aircraft and storage facilities.
-
One Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system neutralized, reducing anti-air defense capabilities.
These precise strikes showcased the IAF’s ability to combine air superiority with surgical ground operations, maximizing operational impact while minimizing collateral damage.
India Dismisses Pakistani Claims
Pakistan had previously claimed that Indian jets were destroyed during retaliatory actions. AP Singh, however, dismissed these claims as “manohar kahaniyan”, implying that they were fabricated stories intended for domestic propaganda.
He emphasized that no Indian jets were lost during the operation, underscoring the effectiveness and safety of Indian pilots. The statement also aimed to highlight the technological edge and strategic planning employed by the IAF.
Significance of Air Power in Modern Warfare
Operation Sindoor highlights the critical role of air power in contemporary conflicts:
-
Rapid Deployment: Air forces can strike deep inside enemy territory in a short time.
-
Precision Strikes: Modern jets and missiles allow targeting strategic assets with minimal collateral damage.
-
Deterrence: Demonstrating air superiority discourages adversaries from escalation.
-
Integrated Operations: Combining air and ground strikes ensures maximum disruption to enemy capabilities.
The destruction of multiple F-16 and JF-17 jets, along with radar and SAM systems, significantly weakened Pakistan’s air defense and surveillance capabilities.
Strategic Implications
The disclosure has several strategic implications:
-
India’s Air Superiority: By neutralizing Pakistani jets and ground infrastructure, India reinforced its dominance in the air domain.
-
Diplomatic Pressure: The strikes and their results likely forced Pakistan to engage in ceasefire talks, as suggested by the Air Chief.
-
Regional Stability: Demonstrating military strength can act as a deterrent, reducing the likelihood of further provocations.
Experts suggest that the precision and coordination displayed during Op Sindoor indicate India’s growing capability to conduct high-risk, high-reward operations in contested airspaces.
Operational Highlights
Some notable aspects of the operation, as revealed by the IAF chief, include:
-
Timing and Execution: The strikes were reportedly carried out with meticulous planning to target high-value assets while minimizing risk to Indian forces.
-
Technology Use: The IAF employed modern radars, precision-guided munitions, and surveillance systems to track enemy movements and target assets effectively.
-
Pilot Skill: Indian pilots executed complex maneuvers in air-to-air combat, ensuring maximum damage to adversary aircraft.
These factors collectively contributed to the operation’s success and demonstrated the IAF’s tactical and operational sophistication.
Reactions and Media Coverage
The announcement has sparked widespread discussion across media platforms:
-
Analysts praise the IAF’s operational planning and execution.
-
Security experts highlight the importance of strategic air strikes in modern Indo-Pak conflicts.
-
Some media outlets have noted the psychological impact of revealing Pakistan’s losses, emphasizing India’s military capabilities.
The disclosure is likely to shape public perception and defense discourse for months, reinforcing India’s narrative of strength and preparedness.
Air Force Day Celebrations
The announcement was made during the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations, which commemorates the IAF’s achievements and role in national defense.
-
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh delivered his speech highlighting IAF’s operational successes, modernization efforts, and future readiness.
-
The celebrations also included flypasts, demonstrations of fighter jets, and display of advanced equipment, showcasing India’s aerial capabilities.
Op Sindoor’s results were highlighted as a landmark operational achievement, reflecting India’s strategic and technological progress in air defense.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor marked a critical milestone in India’s air power strategy, demonstrating both the effectiveness of the IAF and India’s ability to conduct precision strikes deep inside adversary territory.
By destroying 8–10 Pakistani jets, radars, runways, hangars, and SAM systems, India effectively neutralized enemy capabilities while dismissing claims of losses on its side.
The operation underscores the importance of air superiority, precision, and strategic planning in modern warfare, providing a model for future operations aimed at ensuring national security and regional stability.
In a significant disclosure during the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh revealed that India destroyed 8–10 Pakistani fighter jets, including US-made F-16s and Chinese JF-17s, during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The Air Chief also dismissed claims made by Pakistan regarding losses on the Indian side, calling them “manohar kahaniyan” (fascinating tales).
This statement provides one of the first clear accounts of Pakistan’s losses during the operation and underscores the effectiveness of India’s precision strikes on both air and ground targets.
Operation Sindoor: A Quick Recap
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Air Force in response to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border in May 2025. The operation aimed to:
-
Neutralize air capabilities of Pakistan in the targeted regions.
-
Strike critical infrastructure such as radars, runways, command centers, and hangars.
-
Deter further aggression and ensure India’s air superiority in the region.
The operation reportedly targeted 11 Pakistani airbases deep inside the country, marking one of the most comprehensive air strikes in recent history.
Pakistani Aircraft Destroyed
According to AP Singh, Indian forces achieved significant air dominance during Op Sindoor:
-
4–5 Pakistani fighter jets including F-16s and JF-17s were destroyed in aerial combat.
-
An additional 4–5 jets were destroyed on the ground during precision strikes on airbases.
-
One Pakistani surveillance aircraft was also neutralized in the air.
The F-16 is a US-made multirole fighter jet, while the JF-17 is a Chinese-Pakistani joint venture aircraft. Both are considered key components of Pakistan’s air capabilities, making these losses particularly impactful.
Ground Strikes and Infrastructure Damage
The IAF also conducted targeted strikes on critical ground infrastructure, crippling Pakistan’s operational capabilities. The attacks included:
-
Radars destroyed at four locations, blinding the adversary’s surveillance network.
-
Command and control centers hit at two locations, disrupting strategic operations.
-
Two runways rendered unusable, limiting air mobility.
-
Three hangars destroyed, wiping out parked aircraft and storage facilities.
-
One Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system neutralized, reducing anti-air defense capabilities.
These precise strikes showcased the IAF’s ability to combine air superiority with surgical ground operations, maximizing operational impact while minimizing collateral damage.
India Dismisses Pakistani Claims
Pakistan had previously claimed that Indian jets were destroyed during retaliatory actions. AP Singh, however, dismissed these claims as “manohar kahaniyan”, implying that they were fabricated stories intended for domestic propaganda.
He emphasized that no Indian jets were lost during the operation, underscoring the effectiveness and safety of Indian pilots. The statement also aimed to highlight the technological edge and strategic planning employed by the IAF.
Significance of Air Power in Modern Warfare
Operation Sindoor highlights the critical role of air power in contemporary conflicts:
-
Rapid Deployment: Air forces can strike deep inside enemy territory in a short time.
-
Precision Strikes: Modern jets and missiles allow targeting strategic assets with minimal collateral damage.
-
Deterrence: Demonstrating air superiority discourages adversaries from escalation.
-
Integrated Operations: Combining air and ground strikes ensures maximum disruption to enemy capabilities.
The destruction of multiple F-16 and JF-17 jets, along with radar and SAM systems, significantly weakened Pakistan’s air defense and surveillance capabilities.
Strategic Implications
The disclosure has several strategic implications:
-
India’s Air Superiority: By neutralizing Pakistani jets and ground infrastructure, India reinforced its dominance in the air domain.
-
Diplomatic Pressure: The strikes and their results likely forced Pakistan to engage in ceasefire talks, as suggested by the Air Chief.
-
Regional Stability: Demonstrating military strength can act as a deterrent, reducing the likelihood of further provocations.
Experts suggest that the precision and coordination displayed during Op Sindoor indicate India’s growing capability to conduct high-risk, high-reward operations in contested airspaces.
Operational Highlights
Some notable aspects of the operation, as revealed by the IAF chief, include:
-
Timing and Execution: The strikes were reportedly carried out with meticulous planning to target high-value assets while minimizing risk to Indian forces.
-
Technology Use: The IAF employed modern radars, precision-guided munitions, and surveillance systems to track enemy movements and target assets effectively.
-
Pilot Skill: Indian pilots executed complex maneuvers in air-to-air combat, ensuring maximum damage to adversary aircraft.
These factors collectively contributed to the operation’s success and demonstrated the IAF’s tactical and operational sophistication.
Reactions and Media Coverage
The announcement has sparked widespread discussion across media platforms:
-
Analysts praise the IAF’s operational planning and execution.
-
Security experts highlight the importance of strategic air strikes in modern Indo-Pak conflicts.
-
Some media outlets have noted the psychological impact of revealing Pakistan’s losses, emphasizing India’s military capabilities.
The disclosure is likely to shape public perception and defense discourse for months, reinforcing India’s narrative of strength and preparedness.
Air Force Day Celebrations
The announcement was made during the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations, which commemorates the IAF’s achievements and role in national defense.
-
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh delivered his speech highlighting IAF’s operational successes, modernization efforts, and future readiness.
-
The celebrations also included flypasts, demonstrations of fighter jets, and display of advanced equipment, showcasing India’s aerial capabilities.
Op Sindoor’s results were highlighted as a landmark operational achievement, reflecting India’s strategic and technological progress in air defense.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor marked a critical milestone in India’s air power strategy, demonstrating both the effectiveness of the IAF and India’s ability to conduct precision strikes deep inside adversary territory.
By destroying 8–10 Pakistani jets, radars, runways, hangars, and SAM systems, India effectively neutralized enemy capabilities while dismissing claims of losses on its side.
The operation underscores the importance of air superiority, precision, and strategic planning in modern warfare, providing a model for future operations aimed at ensuring national security and regional stability.