IAF Downed 6 Pakistani Aircrafts, Struck 9 Terror Camps in ‘Operation Sindoor’

In a dramatic disclosure that throws light on the scale of India’s recent military retaliation against cross-border terrorism, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Friday confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down six Pakistani aircraft and obliterated nine terror camps during ‘Operation Sindoor’ — a meticulously planned operation launched on May 7 following the April Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

Speaking at the prestigious Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, the IAF chief outlined the operation’s strategic objectives, precision execution, and the technological edge that enabled it to deliver a telling blow to Pakistan’s military and terror infrastructure.

Largest recorded surface-to-air kill
The Air Chief revealed that the aerial victories included five Pakistani fighter jets and one high-value airborne surveillance platform — likely an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) or ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) aircraft.

“We have five confirmed fighter kills and one large aircraft, which was engaged at a distance of about 300 km. This is the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about,” he said, emphasising the unprecedented nature of the engagement.

This long-range kill was made possible by India’s recently acquired S-400 Triumf air defence system, which, according to Singh, has transformed India’s ability to defend its skies and deter enemy incursions.

-1 AWAACS
-2 command & control centres
-2 SAGE systems
-3 hangars
-5 fighter jets including F-16s
-6 radars
-11 runways

Pakistan’s report card of Op Sindoor finally released by Indian Air Force chief 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dbFKmAsNOG

— Amit Kumar Sindhi (@AMIT_GUJJU) August 9, 2025

Surgical precision at Bahawalpur
To underline the precision of the strikes, the Air Chief shared before-and-after high-resolution satellite images of the damage inflicted on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters at Bahawalpur.

“These are the before and after images of the damage we caused… There’s hardly any collateral here — the adjacent buildings are fairly intact,” he told the audience, noting that minimising civilian harm was a core operational principle.

Nine terror camps, over 100 militants eliminated
According to defence sources, Operation Sindoor’s targets were spread across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including major JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training facilities. The strikes eliminated over 100 militants, disrupted operational chains, and inflicted lasting damage on infrastructure used to plan and execute attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The operation combined multiple strike platforms — including air-launched cruise missiles, precision-guided bombs, and loitering munitions — with real-time electronic warfare support. Key Pakistani airbases at Bholari and Rahim Yar Khan were also struck, degrading Pakistan’s forward air deployment capacity.

S-400 hailed as “game-changer”
Air Chief Marshal Singh was unequivocal about the impact of the Russian-origin S-400 system.

“Our air defence system has done a wonderful job. The range of that system has kept their aircraft away from using their long-range glide bombs. They have not been able to use even one because they could not penetrate the system,” he said.

The S-400’s interception of the AWACS aircraft was particularly significant, as it neutralised a major intelligence and coordination asset for the Pakistan Air Force.

Integrated tri-service operation
Operation Sindoor unfolded over four days, with the Army and Navy providing coordinated intelligence and operational support. The Navy deployed assets in the Arabian Sea to monitor and block potential Pakistani naval movements, while the Army’s surveillance units tracked militant regrouping attempts along the Line of Control (LoC).

BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and advanced surveillance drones added a layer of stand-off precision, allowing the IAF to maintain pressure without escalating into a prolonged conflict.

From Pahalgam to Sindoor: A calibrated response
The decision to launch Operation Sindoor came in the wake of the April Pahalgam attack — one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years — which left 26 civilians dead and scores injured. Intelligence assessments indicated that the attack had direct operational links to camps inside Pakistan, particularly in Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and Manshera.

Officials said the operation was designed not as an open-ended conflict, but as a high-intensity, short-duration punitive strike to degrade Pakistan’s ability to launch similar attacks in the near future.

Strategic message
Defence analysts view Operation Sindoor as a landmark in India’s deterrence strategy. The use of advanced systems, integration of tri-service assets, and reliance on real-time intelligence signalled a shift towards a more networked and technologically driven military doctrine.

“This was not just about retaliation — it was about precision, professionalism, and purpose,” Air Chief Marshal Singh concluded, noting that the operation demonstrated India’s ability to act swiftly and decisively without causing unnecessary escalation.

By blending speed, stealth, and accuracy, Operation Sindoor not only punished the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre but also delivered a clear message to Pakistan: cross-border terrorism will invite swift, lethal, and precisely targeted consequences.