Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday revealed unprecedented details of Operation Sindoor, confirming that the IAF shot down six Pakistani aircraft, including five fighter jets and a high-value airborne surveillance platform and destroyed nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, Singh described the operation as a landmark in India’s air warfare history, crediting the S-400 air defence system for neutralising Pakistan’s long-range strike capabilities.
The Air Chief shared satellite imagery and intelligence assessments showing precise damage to Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur.
“These are the before and after images of the damage we caused at Bahawalpur. There’s hardly any collateral, the adjacent buildings are intact,” Singh said, pointing to visuals that showed targeted strikes without civilian damage.
He confirmed that the strikes eliminated over 100 militants in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation was part of a four-day cross-border offensive, with the Army and Navy providing integrated support.
Singh disclosed that Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield, a key Pakistan Air Force base, was targeted.
“One half of the F-16 hangar is gone, and aircraft inside have been damaged. We also have indications of one AEW&C aircraft and several F-16s under maintenance being hit,” he stated.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Speaking on Operation Sindoor, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh says, “These are the before and after images of the damage we caused (at Bahawalpur – JeM HQ)… There’s hardly any collateral here… The adjacent buildings are… pic.twitter.com/1Fzd36DojX
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025
The IAF achieved five confirmed kills and downed one large aircraft, possibly an ELINT or AEW&C platform, from a range of 300 kilometres, described as the largest recorded surface-to-air kill in modern air combat history.
Calling the S-400 a decisive factor, Singh said the Russian-made air defence system was instrumental in keeping Pakistan’s long-range glide bombs away from Indian territory.
“There were very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us. If there were any constraints, they were self-made,” he noted, underscoring the role of political will in the mission’s success.
Referring to the post-Balakot criticism that India failed to present evidence of militant casualties, Singh said this time the IAF had confirmed intelligence of terrorist fatalities and presented clear proof to the world.
“We had human intelligence showing huge damage and many terrorists neutralised. I am very happy we could take care of that ghost of Balakot,” he remarked.
