IAF Jet Loss during May 7 Strikes: A senior Indian defense official currently posted abroad has shared key details. He revealed that the IAF lost some jets while striking terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Orders Restricting Strikes Led to IAF Jet Loss
These losses occurred in the early phase of the operation. The official explained that India’s political leadership had issued specific instructions. They directed the armed forces not to target Pakistani military sites or air defence systems.
The defence official made the comment earlier this month. It happened during a seminar in Indonesia focused on air power strategies in the region. The organizers held the seminar on June 10 to discuss India’s aerial response after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. India launched Operation Sindoor as a large-scale retaliation. During the session, the official explained the Indian Air Force’s objective. The IAF aimed to eliminate terror camps. However, it could not strike military infrastructure in Pakistan. Political leadership had imposed restrictions.
He mentioned that this restriction led to IAF jet loss early in the mission. However, he clarified that the strategy changed later. The enemy’s air defense systems were still active. They posed a serious threat to Indian jets.
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IAF Jet Loss Triggered Shift in Air Strike Strategy
According to the official, the IAF observed jet losses during the initial phase of the operation. In response, the Indian Air Force quickly changed its approach. It stopped focusing only on terror camps. The new strategy targeted Pakistan’s radar stations and air defence systems. The IAF aimed to weaken enemy defences first. This created a safe path for further precision strikes.
On May 10, India launched BrahMos missile attacks. These accurate and fast missiles hit military installations to protect Indian jets during the next wave of operations.
This shift in strategy aligns with earlier statements made by top Indian defence authorities. They had acknowledged that there were setbacks during the early stages of Operation Sindoor. They did not disclose the exact number of aircraft lost. But they confirmed that the operation had faced challenges. They also said it required tactical adjustments. The official suggested the reason behind the early IAF jet loss. It was due to instructions not to target Pakistan’s military directly. This decision limited the IAF’s options.
The revelation has drawn attention across the country. It has also gained notice abroad. Cross-border military operations are sensitive and involve high-risk command decisions.
Government Clarifies and Downplays Controversy
The media reported the official’s comments, and they sparked strong political reactions. Some opposition groups used the remarks to criticise the government’s handling of the military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The issue quickly gained traction online and across news platforms.
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Pakistan also responded by claiming that it had shot down six Indian aircraft, including three advanced Rafale jets. However, Indian defence authorities have firmly rejected these claims, calling them “absolutely incorrect.”
To manage the growing political and public attention, the Indian government issued a clarification through its embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. The statement claimed that the media took the defense official’s comments out of context and misrepresented them.
The embassy explained that the seminar presentation highlighted India’s model of civilian control over the military. It emphasized that the Indian armed forces always follow civilian leadership. This is a key feature of the country’s democratic structure. The embassy clarified India’s intent behind Operation Sindoor. India designed it as a calibrated response. The operation was non-escalatory. It focused strictly on eliminating terrorist infrastructure.
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Terror State Pakistan
The statement also explained the official’s intent. He was not criticizing the political leadership. He was highlighting how the armed forces work within civilian-set boundaries. The government said India carefully measured its response to avoid unnecessary escalation while striking terror networks effectively.
So far, the Indian government has not officially confirmed the number of jets lost during the cross-border operation. It has not released any official figures. The incident continues to spark national discussion. People are talking about the tactical choices and how officials communicated them.