Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, on Thursday revealed that during Operation Sindoor, Indian forces destroyed 13 Pakistani aircraft and struck 11 airfields, emphasizing that the proof is available for everyone to see. The heads of military operations of the Indian Air Force, Navy, and Indian Army addressed a press conference in Jaipur, detailing various aspects of the operation.
Key Details of Operation Sindoor
Speaking at the briefing on the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Bharti stated, "We struck and decimated their nine terrorist camps on May 7. The proof is there for everybody to see. We struck 11 of their airfields. We destroyed 13 of their aircraft either on the ground or in the air, including one high-value airborne asset at a record distance of 300 km plus." He further emphasized that Pakistan had failed to inflict any significant damage on Indian military or civilian infrastructure.
Air Marshal Bharti dismissed all repeated victory rhetoric by Pakistan, stressing that victory is measured by hard facts. "They (Pakistan) have not been able to inflict any major damage on our side. Neither any military infrastructure nor much of the civilian structures... Whatever they may say, remember narratives and rhetoric do not give you victory. Victory is measured by hard facts," he said.
Army and Navy Perspectives
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, who played a key role as the Army's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), remarked, "Operation Sindoor was not an end and it was just the beginning." He noted that it was a statement of resolve, responsibility, and strategic restraint by the nation, executed with precision, proportionality, and clarity of purpose. "India will defend its sovereignty, its security, and its people decisively, professionally and with the utmost responsibility," Ghai added.
Director General Naval Operations, Vice Admiral AN Pramod, stated that by striking terror hubs in the heart of Pakistan using long-range precision weapons, India effectively called the bluff on Pakistan's nuclear blackmail. He highlighted the strategic vision of the national leadership, which provided a precise and unambiguous mandate along with operational freedom to the armed forces. He further noted that the forward deployment of the Indian Navy forced Pakistani naval and air units into a defensive posture, largely confined to harbors or operating close to their coastline.
This comprehensive briefing underscored India's decisive actions during Operation Sindoor, showcasing the coordinated efforts of the three armed forces and their ability to neutralize threats while minimizing collateral damage.
