Operation Sindoor: India Neutralizes 6 Pakistani Fighter Jets, 2 HVSA & 10 UCAVs

Operation Sindoor, carried out from May 6 to 10, 2025, stands as one of India’s most precise and impactful military responses to cross-border terrorism in recent history. Triggered by the brutal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 innocent lives, the Indian government launched this multi-domain operation aimed at crippling Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and military capabilities.

A Retaliation Marking a Shift in Doctrine

India’s strategy was clear: respond not just with condemnation, but with calibrated, targeted military action. Operation Sindoor was a joint military campaign involving the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy under the Integrated Command and Control Strategy (ICCS), ensuring real-time coordination across land, air, and sea. This marked a turning point in India’s security posture—moving from reactive defense to proactive offense.

Heavy Losses for Pakistan: Aircraft, Drones, and Missiles Destroyed

In five days of intense operations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) dealt a severe blow to Pakistan’s military infrastructure:

• 6 Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets were shot down in aerial combat.

• 2 high-value surveillance aircraft, including an airborne early warning system and an electronic warfare jet, were destroyed.

• Over 10 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) were neutralised.

• A C-130 Hercules transport aircraft was eliminated, impairing logistics.

• Multiple Pakistani cruise and ballistic missiles were intercepted by India’s multi-layered air defense systems.

These strikes weren’t random. They were guided by precise intelligence from multi-agency sources, ensuring surgical accuracy and minimal civilian damage. Visuals from satellite imagery and real-time feeds confirmed direct hits on major airbases like Nur Khan and Rahimyar Khan, destroying runways, hangars, and radar sites.

Advanced Indian Weapon Systems in Action

India’s airstrikes relied heavily on air-launched precision weapons, avoiding the use of surface-launched BrahMos missiles to maintain escalation control. Instead, systems like the Sudarshan precision-guided munition, SPICE-2000, and Scalp EG cruise missiles were employed with pinpoint accuracy.

One surveillance aircraft, an SAAB Erieye AEW&C, was destroyed by a long-range cruise missile while flying over the Bholari airbase. Another high-value electronic countermeasure aircraft was taken out from over 300 kilometers away—showcasing India’s beyond-visual-range strike capability.

In air-to-air engagements, IAF's Su-30MKIs and Rafales, equipped with Meteor and Astra missiles, dominated the skies, recording multiple mid-air kills confirmed by radar and optical tracking systems.

Crippling Pakistan’s Unmanned Arsenal

India’s forces specifically targeted Pakistan’s drone warfare capabilities. Over ten UCAVs, including Chinese-origin Wing Loong drones, were obliterated in a coordinated strike. These drones, used by Pakistan for surveillance and precision strikes, were destroyed inside hardened shelters near Mianwali and Sargodha airbases.

A joint strike by Rafale and Su-30 aircraft decimated these hangars, eliminating a large part of Pakistan’s unmanned fleet and causing a technological setback in its drone warfare capacity.

Missile Defence Success: Shielding Indian Assets

Pakistan attempted retaliatory strikes using ground and air-launched missiles, many aimed at Indian military airbases. However, India’s missile defense systems, including S-400 Triumf, Barak-8, and Akash, intercepted and destroyed all incoming threats. None of the Pakistani missiles reached their intended targets.

This flawless interception performance protected Indian infrastructure and exposed the ineffectiveness of Pakistan’s offensive capabilities, further tipping the balance in India’s favor.

Disabling Logistics and Radar Infrastructure

The destruction of Pakistan’s C-130 transport aircraft—a key logistics platform—severely disrupted its military mobility. The IAF also disabled radar stations and surface-to-air missile batteries across 13 different locations, paralyzing Pakistan’s air surveillance and response systems.

Despite Pakistani denials, intelligence suggests additional aircraft and drones were destroyed inside hangars, but Pakistan’s refusal to allow independent verification makes these losses officially unconfirmed.

Water Diplomacy: Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty

In parallel, India delivered an economic blow by suspending participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, impacting Pakistan's water-dependent sectors. This bold diplomatic step demonstrated India's intent to apply pressure beyond the battlefield, making it clear that the price of terrorism would be paid in every sector.

Ethical Warfare with Precision

Unlike past operations, Sindoor was executed with high ethical standards, ensuring zero civilian casualties despite deep strikes into Pakistani territory. The emphasis on targeted military assets, backed by real-time surveillance, underlines India’s commitment to responsible use of force.

Strategic Outcome: Pakistan Calls for Ceasefire

By May 10, 2025, after losing valuable aerial assets, logistical capabilities, and unmanned systems, Pakistan requested a ceasefire. Its inability to inflict counter-damage and the fear of further losses forced this admission. India had established clear operational dominance while maintaining strategic restraint.