SOURCE: AFI
As the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) commemorates its 2019 aerial operation dubbed “Swift Retort,” a curious display has surfaced at PAF Base Sargodha, raising eyebrows and questions about the accuracy of its narrative. A board in the briefing room proudly declares that a PAF F-16 shot down an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 MKI fighter jet belonging to No. 25 Squadron, known as the “Himalayan Eagles,” during the skirmish on February 27, 2019.
However, this claim crumbles under scrutiny, as No. 25 Squadron does not operate the advanced Su-30 MKI fighter but is, in fact, a transport unit equipped with Antonov An-32 aircraft. This discrepancy shines a spotlight on the perils of misinformation in military propaganda and the complexities of post-conflict narratives.
Operation Swift Retort was Pakistan’s response to India’s airstrike on February 26, 2019, targeting alleged terrorist camps in Balakot, Pakistan, following the Pulwama attack that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. The next day, PAF aircraft crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian airspace, leading to a brief but intense dogfight with IAF jets. Pakistan claimed a decisive victory, asserting that its F-16s downed an IAF Su-30 MKI and a MiG-21 Bison, the latter piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured and later released. India, meanwhile, confirmed the loss of the MiG-21 but denied losing a Su-30 MKI, instead claiming that an IAF Mig-21 shot down a PAF F-16.
The Sargodha board’s assertion that an F-16 downed a Su-30 MKI of No. 25 Squadron adds a new layer to this contested narrative—one that falls apart when the squadron’s actual role and equipment are examined.
No. 25 Squadron, the “Himalayan Eagles,” is a storied unit of the Indian Air Force assigned to the South Western Air Command. Far from being a fighter squadron wielding the formidable Su-30 MKI, it is a transport unit tasked with airlifting troops, equipment, and supplies, often in support of ground forces and special operations. Stationed primarily to serve the northern and western sectors, the squadron has a legacy rooted in logistical support rather than air combat.
The squadron’s history with transport aircraft dates back decades. Until June 30, 1993, it operated the Antonov An-12, a Soviet-era workhorse that played a pivotal role in IAF transport operations. The phasing out of the An-12 marked the end of an era, but the Himalayan Eagles swiftly transitioned to the Antonov An-32, a lighter and more versatile twin-engine turboprop. In July 1993, three An-32s were inducted into the squadron, followed by three more in August. By September 1993, the An-32 had fully taken over the operational roles previously handled by the An-12 in the northern sector, complementing the squadron’s Ilyushin Il-76 heavy-lift aircraft.
The An-32, affectionately nicknamed the “Sutlej” in IAF service, is designed for rugged reliability, capable of operating from short, unprepared airstrips in challenging terrains like the Himalayas. Its role includes troop transport, airdrops, and supply missions—hardly the profile of a frontline fighter jet like the Su-30 MKI, a twin-engine, multirole air superiority platform built by Russia’s Sukhoi and license-produced by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The Su-30 MKI is indeed a cornerstone of the IAF’s fighter fleet, operated by several squadrons across commands, including No. 20 (“Lightnings”) and No. 221 (“Valiants”). However, No. 25 Squadron has no association with this aircraft. The PAF’s claim that an F-16 downed a Su-30 MKI from this unit during Swift Retort appears to be a case of mistaken identity—or deliberate embellishment. No credible evidence, such as wreckage or official Indian acknowledgment, supports the loss of an Su-30 MKI on February 27, 2019, let alone one tied to a transport squadron.
India’s official account acknowledges the downing of Wing Commander Varthaman’s MiG-21 Bison by a PAF jet, likely an F-16, using an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. Meanwhile, India claims its own victory: the destruction of a PAF F-16 by an IAF fighter, a claim bolstered by radar signatures and missile debris but disputed by Pakistan. The Sargodha board’s reference to No. 25 Squadron and a Su-30 MKI muddies the waters further, suggesting either a factual error or an attempt to inflate the operation’s success for domestic morale.
PAF Base Sargodha, a key hub for Pakistan’s air operations and home to F-16 squadrons, is a fitting stage for celebrating Swift Retort. Yet, the erroneous board raises questions about the reliability of the PAF’s internal records or its public messaging. Military forces worldwide often amplify victories to boost morale and project strength, but attributing a kill to the wrong aircraft and squadron risks undermining credibility.
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