‘We Brought Them To Knees’: Indian Army Shares Video Of Downing Pakistani Drones
Operation Sindoor saw India strike nine terror sites in Pakistan, down a Mirage fighter, and repel drone attacks, highlighting its robust defense readiness.
In a significant escalation of military tensions, a joint press briefing held by senior Indian Armed Forces officials confirmed the downing of a Pakistani Mirage fighter jet during "Operation Sindoor." The operation, launched on May 7, was a direct response to the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives.
The briefing, led by Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General Air Operations Air Vice Marshal AK Bharti, and Director General of Naval Operations Vice Admiral AN Pramod, provided a comprehensive overview of the operation. A video shared by the Indian Army during the briefing showed the wreckage of a Pakistani Mirage, confirming the fighter’s downing as part of the mission.
Indian intelligence agencies have linked the Pahalgam attack to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, known for its long history of violent activities against India, and to elements within Pakistan’s military establishment. This connection, officials said, justified the robust military response undertaken in Operation Sindoor.
आकाशे शत्रुन् जहि I
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 12, 2025
Destroy the Enemy in the Sky.#PahalgamTerrorAttack #OperationSindoor#JusticeServed #IndianArmy@IAF_MCC @indiannavy pic.twitter.com/vO28RS0IdE
While the Indian Armed Forces refrained from revealing further operational specifics, the clear message was one of firm retaliation against cross-border terrorism. The operation reflects India’s continued commitment to protecting its sovereignty and responding decisively to provocations.
The high-level joint press briefing in New Delhi marked a rare coordinated public address by senior commanders from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, underlining the gravity of the recent developments along the Line of Control and beyond.
Amid the ongoing conflict and cross-border tensions, Air Marshal Bharti clarified India's stance, stating, "Our fight is not against the Pakistan Army, but terrorism. The Pakistan Army supported terrorists." His remarks highlighted the broader security challenge India faces, marked by persistent infiltration attempts and attacks from militant groups operating with support from across the border.
Air Marshal Bharti also emphasized the readiness of India’s integrated air defense systems, asserting, "All our military bases, all our systems continue to remain fully operational and ready to undertake any future missions should the need so arise." This statement underscores the high state of alert maintained by the Indian Air Force to counter potential threats.
#WATCH | Delhi: Air Marshal AK Bharti says, "All our military bases, all our systems continue to remain fully operational and ready to undertake any future missions should the need so arise." pic.twitter.com/HWQwP5ol6Q
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2025
Meanwhile, India has claimed to have shot down a range of Pakistani assets, including a US-made F-16, two Chinese-supplied JF-17s, and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). Pakistan, however, has denied these losses. In contrast, media reports suggest that India may have lost a Rafale and possibly a Mirage 2000, though Air Marshal Bharti remarked that "losses are part of a combat" and emphasized that "all Indian pilots have returned."
Operation Sindoor itself, which lasted around 25 minutes in the early hours of May 7, targeted nine confirmed terror sites – four within mainland Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has stated that the operation resulted in the neutralization of over 100 terrorists and the destruction of key facilities linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
In response to the strikes, Pakistan reportedly launched a series of drone and missile attacks on Indian military installations and border towns in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. These attacks triggered air raid alerts and power outages in cities such as Chandigarh, Jaisalmer, and Pathankot.
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