Pakistan Rejects Indian Claims on Operation Sindoor, Denies Aircraft Losses

In the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor and the subsequent release of evidence, Pakistan has disputed the Indian Air Force’s assertions regarding the operation. The Indian side has presented satellite images and other evidence to support its claims; however, Pakistan has maintained that it did not sustain any losses. The recent statements by Indian Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh have provoked a strong reaction from Pakistan. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Indian forces did not successfully target or destroy any Pakistani aircraft during the recent conflict. Air Chief Marshal Singh had previously stated that the IAF downed five Pakistani fighter jets and one large aircraft during Operation Sindoor. The IAF’s evidence reportedly suggests the presence of at least one AWACS aircraft and some F-16s. The Indian Air Force claims to have confirmed the downing of five fighter jets, including a large aircraft, possibly an AWACS, which was targeted from around 300 kilometers away. Following the operation, numerous UAVs, drones, and missiles landed in Indian territory. Khawaja Asif claimed in a social media post that India did not manage to target or destroy any Pakistani aircraft. He questioned why these claims were not made earlier. He stated that the statements by the Indian Air Force chief were ‘as unbelievable as they are ill-timed,’ and also claimed that Indian forces suffered significant losses on the Line of Control. Asif proposed that both countries should allow independent verification of their aircraft holdings if the truth is in question. He expressed skepticism that this would expose the truth that India allegedly seeks to conceal and warned of a robust response to any violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.