Indian armed forces inflicted heavy damage on Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, senior Air Force officer reveals.
Jaipur
Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, who served as the Director General of Air Operations during last year’s Operation Sindoor, on Thursday stated that Indian armed forces shot down 13 Pakistani aircraft and damaged 11 enemy airfields during the high-intensity military campaign.
Addressing a press conference in Jaipur on the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the Deputy Chief of Air Staff said the operation was a decisive response against terrorism and military threats originating from Pakistan. According to him, Indian forces also destroyed nine terrorist hideouts located inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during the operation.
Air Marshal Bharti asserted that despite the scale of the military action, India successfully ensured that no damage occurred to its civilian or military infrastructure. He highlighted the precision and coordination demonstrated by the Indian armed forces throughout the operation.
He further revealed that the Army, Navy, and Air Force leadership worked in complete coordination and that the armed forces were granted full operational freedom by the government. Every major strategic decision, he said, was taken jointly by the three services to ensure maximum effectiveness and minimal collateral damage.
“When our desire for peace is mistaken for weakness, we have no choice but to act. And when we act, there is no room for leniency. It is decisive, lethal and translates into Operation Sindoor,” the Air Marshal said while explaining the objective behind the military campaign.
Responding to questions regarding India’s decision to agree to a ceasefire after the operation, Bharti acknowledged the emotions and anger among citizens, particularly the younger generation, due to India’s past experiences with Pakistan. However, he clarified that the operation was specifically targeted at terrorists and their support infrastructure rather than civilians.
The remarks come amid renewed discussions over India’s military preparedness and its policy against cross-border terrorism. Defence analysts believe Operation Sindoor has become a significant example of India’s coordinated military capability and strategic response in the region.
