IAF Chief Confirms Destruction of Pakistani F-16s, JF-17 in Operation Sindoor
The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, announced on Friday that airstrikes carried out during Operation Sindoor in May resulted in considerable damage to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Among the assets destroyed were several high-value targets, including four to five F-16 fighter jets and a JF-17 of Chinese origin.
During the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations, the IAF chief disclosed that the precision strikes on Pakistani airbases severely disrupted crucial military infrastructure, leading Islamabad to immediately call for a ceasefire.
“We struck a large number of installations. Based on reliable reports, we destroyed radars at four places, command and control centres at two bases, damaged runways at two airfields, and hit three hangars,” Singh stated.
He further explained that missiles targeting hangars and runways resulted in the destruction of a C-130 transport aircraft, an aircraft from the AEW&C class, and four to five fighter jets, primarily F-16s. A surface-to-air missile system was also eliminated during the strikes.
Highlighting a significant achievement, the Air Chief mentioned, “We have clear evidence of one long-range strike—over 300 km—on an AEW&C or a SIGINT platform, along with five frontline fighters in the F-16 and JF-17 class.”
Refuting Pakistan’s claims about inflicting losses on India, Singh said Islamabad was misleading its citizens with “Manohar Kahaaniya” (fanciful tales), as there was no photographic evidence to support their assertions of shooting down IAF aircraft.
He praised the coordinated efforts of India’s armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor, noting, “The joint resolve of our services brought the enemy to their knees.”
The conflict began in early May following India’s targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The skirmish concluded on May 10, after Indian strikes on pivotal PAF airbases prompted Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to seek urgent dialogue with his Indian counterpart.
