Indian Air Force Inflicts Significant Losses on Pakistan’s Aerial Assets in Recent Conflict

Read about the Indian Air Force's recent four-day operation, where it inflicted significant losses on Pakistan's aerial assets, including fighter jets

New Delhi, India – The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully engaged and neutralized multiple high-value targets belonging to Pakistan's aerial forces during a four-day military confrontation last month, senior sources involved in the operations have confirmed. The intensive air campaign, which concluded on May 10, resulted in substantial damage to Pakistan's air capabilities, including the destruction of six Pakistani fighter jets, two critical surveillance aircraft, a C-130 transport plane, over 30 missiles, and numerous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Precision Strikes Target Pakistan Air Force Assets

According to top sources with access to operational data, technical analysis confirmed the downing of six Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets during a period of intense air-to-air engagements. Among the high-value targets struck was a sophisticated airborne platform, believed to be either an electronic warfare system or an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. This asset was destroyed by a long-range precision strike, utilizing India's indigenous Sudarshan missile system at a reported range of nearly 300 kilometers.

Additionally, another AEW&C aircraft of Swedish origin was neutralized in a targeted strike on Pakistan's Bholari airbase, executed with air-to-surface cruise missiles. While intelligence reports indicated the potential presence of additional fighter jets within hangars that were impacted during these strikes, confirmation of these specific losses awaits Pakistan clearing debris from the affected sites.

Confirmed Destructions and Tactical Engagements

The Indian Air Force's radar and missile defense systems provided conclusive visual confirmation of Pakistani fighter jets disappearing from radar screens after sustaining direct hits. In a separate incident, a PAF C-130 transport aircraft was destroyed in a precision drone strike in Pakistan’s Punjab region.

Sources further clarified that Indian forces predominantly employed air-launched cruise missiles for these operations, confirming that surface-launched BrahMos missiles were not deployed during this engagement, contrary to some earlier reports.

UAVs Decimated, Missile Interceptions Highlight Defense Prowess

In a coordinated assault involving Rafale and Su-30 fighter jets, Indian forces successfully destroyed a significant number of Chinese-origin Wing Loong drones—medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicles—located in a hangar. Beyond this, over 10 additional unmanned combat aerial vehicles were also neutralized by Indian air defense systems during the four-day conflict.

The IAF's robust missile defense capabilities were further demonstrated by the successful interception of a large volume of air- and ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles fired by Pakistan, which were targeting several Indian airbases.

Operation Sindoor and Aftermath

The conflict was initiated on the night of May 6-7, when India launched retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor against terror infrastructure situated in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The intense four-day confrontation culminated on May 10, following a request for a ceasefire from Pakistan after the substantial losses inflicted by the Indian air campaign.

Indian Air Force sources confirmed that extensive operational data collected throughout the engagement continues to be analyzed, aiming to refine future strategies and enhance India's overall defense preparedness.