India’s Devastating Air Assault Destroys Pakistani JF-17 & F-16 Jets, Shifts Global Airpower Doctrine

In response to the deadly April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, India launched a high-intensity air operation—Operation Sindoor—marking a dramatic evolution in its military doctrine. Carried out from May 7 over just four days, this operation was not only swift and lethal, but also redefined regional air dominance. With strategic precision, India dismantled a significant portion of Pakistan’s air combat capability, neutralized multiple strategic airbases, and altered the geopolitical narrative in South Asia.

Turning Point: From Tragedy to Tactical Brilliance

The terror attack in Pahalgam was not treated as just another provocation. It triggered a clear shift in India’s security posture—from restraint to calculated offense. Under the command of General Anil Chauhan, the Indian Air Force was mobilized to execute an airstrike campaign that spanned from Bahawalpur to Bholari.

Unlike previous responses, Operation Sindoor wasn’t about symbolic strikes—it was a deep, coordinated air assault meant to cripple Pakistan’s air defense infrastructure and deny it operational depth.

Massive Aerial Losses for Pakistan

Operation Sindoor targeted Pakistan’s most critical aerial assets, resulting in the destruction of:

• 3 JF-17 Thunders (Chinese-Pakistani fighters) using Astra and MICA missiles.

• 2 Mirage III/V aircraft with SPICE-2000 bombs.

• 1 F-16 Block 52, reportedly taken down in a beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement near Sargodha.

• 2 AEW&C platforms—the Swedish Saab 2000 Erieye shot down using the S-400 from over 300 km inside Indian territory, and the Chinese ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle destroyed at Bholari.

• 1 C-130 Hercules carrying elite troops, destroyed at Nur Khan Airbase via BrahMos missile.

• 15+ UCAVs, including Chinese Wing Loong drones, eliminated by Akashteer and SAMAR systems.

These losses, confirmed via post-strike satellite imagery, dealt a severe blow to Pakistan’s quick reaction and surveillance capabilities.

Devastating Airbase Strikes

The Indian Air Force surgically targeted seven key airbases:

• Nur Khan Airbase: A high-value strategic base near Islamabad. The destruction of a C-130 in active deployment killed 12 elite personnel and disrupted Pakistan’s airlift operations.

• Bholari Airbase: Home to Pakistan’s AWACS fleet, including the ZDK-03. The destruction of surveillance assets left Pakistan blind in the southern sector for 72 hours.

• Sargodha Airbase: Headquarters of PAF Central Air Command. One F-16 was destroyed and multiple aircraft damaged, while the runway was cratered and comms temporarily disabled.

• Jacobabad Airbase: A critical drone warfare hub. Indian swarm drones destroyed Shahpar-II UCAVs, control stations, and a mobile jamming system.

• Sukkur Airbase: Though not a frontline airbase, Sukkur’s fuel and repair infrastructure were taken out, forcing operational dependence on distant alternatives.

• Rahim Yar Khan Airbase: Storage base for Mirages and precision weapons. Two Mirages and a large ammunition truck were destroyed, rendering the base inoperable for two days.

• Shahbaz Airbase: Used as a decoy strike zone, it drew Pakistani air defense fire while real strikes unfolded elsewhere, allowing IAF assets to operate with minimal resistance.

Command & Control Decapitation

Beyond aircraft and airbases, India targeted critical radar systems, communication hubs, and command centers. These strikes paralyzed Pakistan’s ability to assess the scale of attack or organize a counter-offensive.

By disrupting underground fiber-optics and satellite uplinks, India ensured that Pakistan’s top military leadership was effectively cut off from its operational commanders during the peak of the assault.

Defensive Shield: India’s Missile Umbrella

India’s S-400 "Sudarshan Chakra", capable of intercepting threats from up to 400 km, successfully neutralized retaliatory attempts. Complementing it was the Akashteer system, which managed a perfect interception rate against Pakistani drones. Meanwhile, the SAMAR system protected low-altitude corridors and urban infrastructure.

These layered defenses ensured India did not suffer any material or personnel losses during the operation, a remarkable feat in modern air warfare.

Global Doctrinal Shift

Operation Sindoor’s success represents a shift in global airpower thinking. Where NATO emphasizes layered suppression, Israel leans on preemptive destruction, and the U.S. seeks full-spectrum dominance, India has showcased a hybrid doctrine: surgical decapitation with strategic denial.

With simultaneous multi-base strikes executed in under 22 minutes, the Indian Air Force delivered a warfighting model that many air forces only simulate in peacetime drills.

Psychological Aftershock

The sheer scale and accuracy of the operation shocked Pakistan into silence. Within 88 hours, Islamabad sought a ceasefire—an unusual reversal that underscored the demoralizing and paralyzing impact of India’s precision warfare.

Internationally, the reactions were mixed. While former U.S. President Donald Trump offered mediation, India categorically rejected third-party involvement. The message was clear: the ceasefire was a result of Pakistan’s military exhaustion—not diplomacy.

A New Era of Indian Airpower

Operation Sindoor wasn’t just a retaliatory campaign—it was a declaration. India has evolved into a state capable of precise, preemptive, and multi-theater operations. With advanced systems like the BrahMos NG, Akashteer, and S-400 integrated seamlessly into battle plans, the Indian Air Force has proven it can project power far beyond its borders and do so with surgical precision.

As regional and global powers study the aftermath of this operation, one thing is certain: South Asia’s military balance has tilted decisively, and India’s new doctrine of offensive air dominance is here to stay.