IAF Downed 7 Pakistani Fighter Jets In Operation Sindoor, India To Reveal Proof Soon: Sources

According to sources, satellite imagery, radar signatures, and social media visuals are being compiled to present verifiable proof of the damage inflicted on Pakistani air assets during Op Sindoor.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) release flares as they perform an airshow. (Representative Image)

Source : Getty Images

The Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down at least seven Pakistani Air Force fighter jet in an intense dogfight during Operation Sindoor on May 6–7, top defense sources told ABP News. India is expected to release concrete evidence soon, including images and technical data confirming the destruction of Pakistani aircraft.

On the first day of the operation, Indian Rafale and Sukhoi aircraft launched precision strikes on militant camps across the border. In response, Pakistan scrambled its JF-17s, J-10s, and Mirage aircraft in an attempt to thwart the offensive. During this interception, several Pakistani jets were neutralised. 

The IAF also suffered some losses, as acknowledged by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Air Operations Director General A.K. Bharti. However, Pakistan is yet to officially admit to the damage on its end.

According to highly placed sources, satellite imagery, radar signatures, and social media visuals are being compiled to present verifiable proof of the damage inflicted on Pakistani air assets.

Pakistan Lost At Least 7 Aircraft In Operation Sindoor

Sources said that Pakistan lost a minimum of seven aircraft during Operation Sindoor the twin phases of Operation Sindoor. These include: 5 fighter jets, 1 C-130 military transport aircraft,1 AWACS (airborne early warning and control) reconnaissance aircraft. In addition, at least ten combat drones were also destroyed.

The inventory of destroyed aerial assets reportedly includes:

• Two JF-17 fighter jets — one lost in aerial combat, another destroyed during takeoff preparations at Shahbaz Airbase in Jacobabad. The latter incident also claimed the lives of five Pakistani personnel, including Squadron Leader Usman Yusuf.
• One Mirage combat aircraft
• One Erieye AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), the loss of which has allegedly been acknowledged by a retired Pakistani Air Marshal.
• One C-130 transport aircraft, with footage of its destruction already circulating on social platforms.

F-16 Jets Also Damaged At Airbases

Though the US-made F-16 fighter jets werenot used in combat against India due to US restrictions, some of them were damaged during IAF airstrikes on Pakistani airbases. These jets were reportedly parked at the bases when the strikes occurred.

According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the aerial offensive led to an estimated 20 percent destruction of the Pakistan Air Force’s infrastructure. The strikes were directed at a total of 11 key installations, including strategically important bases like Noor Khan, Sargodha, and Rahim Yar Khan.

Sources said that evidence, including images and videos from Pakistan’s damaged airbases, is being archived and compiled as part of India's forthcoming disclosure.