SOURCE: AFI
Sources close to the Indian Air Force (IAF), speaking to Air Force India (AFI), have confirmed that no pilots were lost during the large-scale ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a retaliatory strike conducted on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, which involved an estimated 80-90 aircraft, saw the deployment of advanced weaponry, including the air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and SCALP cruise missiles. However, IAF officials refrained from confirming whether all air assets involved in the operation remained intact, fueling speculation amid conflicting claims from Pakistan.
The operation was launched in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, primarily tourists, in Indian-administered Kashmir. Indian authorities attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), prompting a swift and coordinated military response. According to IAF sources, ‘Operation Sindoor’ was executed with precision, targeting terror camps in locations such as Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad, among others, within a 25-minute window. The operation utilized Rafale jets equipped with SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missiles for deep-strike missions and HAMMER precision-guided munitions for medium-range targets, alongside the BrahMos air-launched variant deployed from modified Su-30MKI fighters.
While IAF sources emphasized the operation’s success and the safety of all pilots, their refusal to confirm the status of air assets has drawn attention, particularly in light of Pakistan’s claims. Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, alleged that Pakistani forces shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, one Su30MKI, one MiG-29, and an IAI Heron drone, during the operation.
The scale of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ involving 80-90 aircraft, underscores the IAF’s operational capacity and coordination. The fleet likely included Rafale, Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, and MiG-29 jets, supported by airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems like the Netra and Phalcon, and possibly Jaguar strike aircraft for secondary roles. The operation’s success in delivering all payloads, as confirmed by IAF sources, highlights the effectiveness of India’s advanced weaponry and real-time intelligence capabilities.
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