New Delhi, October 3, 2025: In a stark revelation on the 93rd Indian Air Force Day, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh confirmed that Indian precision strikes under Operation Sindoor in May obliterated 4-5 Pakistani fighter jets—most likely US-made F-16s—while they were parked on the ground at key airbases. The operation, launched in retaliation to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives in Jammu & Kashmir, also crippled Pakistan's air defenses, radars, and command structures, forcing a swift ceasefire after just four days.

Speaking at a press conference, ACM Singh detailed the devastating impact: "We struck a large number of their airfields and installations... radars at four places, command and control centres at two places, runways damaged at two places, three of their hangars... [leading to] signs of one C-130 class of aircraft and at least 4 to 5 fighter aircraft, most likely F-16, because that place happened to be F-16 hangars." He emphasized that the strikes caused no collateral damage to civilians, backed by "before and after" satellite imagery of nine terror targets, including Jaish-e-Mohammad's Bahawalpur headquarters and Lashkar-e-Taiba's Muridke base.PALAY® Straw Hat Sun Hats for Women,Wide Brim Cap Beach Hat for Women Stylish UV Protection Cap,

Operation Sindoor: A Swift and Decisive Response

Timeline and Trigger: Triggered by the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, India executed air-launched cruise missile and drone strikes on May 7-10, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. Over 100 terrorists were eliminated, with Pakistan's air force unable to breach Indian defenses.Also Read: IND vs WI 1st Test, Day 2: India Surge to 226/4 With kl Rahul ton

Key Assets Neutralized:
Aircraft Losses: 4-5 F-16s and one JF-17 destroyed on ground at Jacobabad and Bholari bases; one AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) and a C-130 transport aircraft hit in hangars.

Infrastructure Damage: Four radars, two command centers, two runways, three hangars, and a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system rendered inoperable.

Technological Edge: India's newly inducted S-400 systems achieved a record 300+ km kill, downing five high-tech fighters (F-16/JF-17) and one surveillance aircraft in aerial engagements.

Pakistan's Response: Initial claims of downing Indian jets (including Rafales) were dismissed by Singh as "Manohar Kahaniya" (fairy tales), with no evidence provided. Pakistan reported 51 deaths (including civilians), but India maintained strikes were precise. As celebrations continue, the IAF reaffirmed its modernization push, including indigenous Tejas Mk-2 and S-400 expansions, signaling readiness for future threats.