Downed 6 Pakistani Aircraft, Hit 9 Terror Camps During Operation Sindoor: Air Force Chief

Bengaluru- Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has revealed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed six Pakistani aircraft — including five fighter jets and a high-value surveillance platform, believed to be an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) — during Operation Sindoor.

Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, Singh presented satellite imagery and intelligence evidence showing the damage inflicted on Pakistan’s air assets and terror infrastructure.

“These are the before-and-after images of the damage we caused at Bahawalpur, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters. There’s hardly any collateral damage — the nearby buildings are mostly untouched,” he noted, pointing to high-resolution visuals that confirmed the accuracy of the strikes.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India’s measured response to the April terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.

“We have five confirmed fighter kills and one large aircraft — either an ELINT or AEW&C platform — shot down from about 300 km away. This is the largest recorded surface-to-air kill we can speak of,” Singh said.

The operation targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), eliminating over 100 militants, according to defence sources. The strikes combined air-launched cruise missiles, electronic warfare systems, and real-time surveillance to ensure maximum impact with minimal civilian casualties.

Singh credited the recently inducted Russian-origin S-400 air defence system as a “game-changer,” preventing Pakistani aircraft from deploying long-range glide bombs. “They have not been able to use even one because they couldn’t penetrate our system,” he said.

In addition to aerial engagements, the IAF struck ground targets, including key Pakistani airbases like Bholari and Rahim Yar Khan, using precision-guided munitions. Intelligence from satellites, local media, and electronic intercepts confirmed the destruction of terror facilities and military assets.

The campaign, lasting four days, also demonstrated India’s integrated defence capability, with coordinated support from the Army and Navy. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and advanced drones were deployed, ultimately forcing Pakistan to seek a ceasefire.

Calling the operation a milestone in India’s deterrence strategy, Singh said, “This was not just about retaliation — it was about precision, professionalism, and purpose.”

With inputs from IANS