On Friday, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, revealed that the IAF successfully destroyed 4 to 5 Pakistani fighter jets, likely F-16s, during Operation Sindoor.
In a media briefing in New Delhi, Singh detailed that the IAF executed precision strikes on multiple Pakistani airbases, causing extensive damage to radars, command centres, runways, and hangars, as well as impacting a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. He stated a C-130-class transport aircraft and a high-value surveillance plane were likely hit during the operation.
“We struck a large number of their airfields and installations…radars at four places, command centres at two locations, two runways, and three hangars were destroyed. We have evidence of one C-130 aircraft being hit, and at least 4–5 fighters, most likely F-16s, which were under maintenance at that time,” stated Singh.
During the operation, the IAF deployed its newly procured long-range SAMs, effectively prohibiting the Pakistan Air Force from engaging even within its own boundaries. This mission also achieved a historic milestone with the longest successful missile strike exceeding 300 kilometres, significantly crippling Pakistan’s aerial response capabilities.
Singh hailed the operation as a decisive and time-bound success, remarking, “This was a war commenced with a specific objective and wrapped up swiftly once our objectives were fulfilled. Unlike extended global conflicts, India illustrated that clarity and precision can induce an adversary to seek a ceasefire.”
He stressed the significance of this experience as a lesson for the world, particularly at a juncture when ongoing international conflicts exhibit no signs of resolution.
