New Delhi – Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari has revealed that Pakistan lost several of its fighter aircraft, including China-made JF-17 jets, during Operation Sindoor, a recent high-intensity military engagement. He also dismissed Pakistan’s claims of inflicting heavy damage on Indian assets as “completely baseless.”
Speaking at a press briefing, the IAF chief outlined how India’s well-coordinated air strikes inflicted extensive damage on Pakistani military infrastructure, including radar systems, command-and-control centres, and aircraft hangars. “Our operations were precise and decisive. We neutralised key assets deep inside their territory and ensured complete dominance of the airspace,” he said.
According to Chaudhari, Pakistan’s fleet of JF-17 fighter jets suffered significant losses during the operation, along with critical ground-based installations that were essential for their air defence network. Satellite imagery released by Indian intelligence reportedly shows multiple destroyed hangars and damaged radar installations, backing the IAF’s claims.
The IAF chief further clarified that India’s losses were minimal, contradicting statements made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, who earlier claimed that India had suffered “massive damage.” Chaudhari called those remarks “an attempt to mislead their public and hide the scale of their own losses.”
Operation Sindoor, conducted in response to escalating cross-border hostilities, showcased India’s growing air power capabilities, including precision-strike weapons, electronic warfare systems, and coordinated joint operations with ground forces. Military analysts say the success of the operation has demonstrated India’s technological and strategic edge in aerial warfare.
The operation also highlighted vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defence systems, many of which rely heavily on Chinese technology. The JF-17 Thunder jets, jointly produced by Pakistan and China, were seen as the backbone of Pakistan’s air fleet but have faced criticism over performance and reliability.
Regional observers believe the fallout from Operation Sindoor will have lasting implications for military balance in South Asia. “This was a clear message from India,” said a senior defence analyst. “It wasn’t just about retaliation — it was about asserting air superiority and exposing Pakistan’s weaknesses.”
While Islamabad has downplayed the scale of the damage, the IAF’s detailed briefing adds a new layer of credibility to India’s version of events, further intensifying diplomatic and military pressure on Pakistan.