Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 3: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Friday reiterated that Pakistan formally sought a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor, countering claims that former US President Donald Trump intervened to halt the conflict. He emphasized that the May 10 cessation of hostilities was a result of Islamabad suing for peace.

Singh also confirmed that Indian forces successfully shot down Pakistan’s fighter jets, including US-made F-16s and Chinese J-17s, while dismissing reports of Indian aircraft losses as misinformation spread by the Pakistani Army. He highlighted the Indian Air Force’s precision strikes on nine terror camps and bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, undertaken in retaliation for the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

“In Operation Sindoor, terrorists paid the price for attacking innocent civilians. Our operations across 300 km demonstrated India’s military capability, and it was Pakistan that requested the ceasefire,” Singh said, also commending India’s air defence systems for intercepting missiles and drones during the nearly 100-hour operation.

The Air Force chief further warned that future wars will differ from past conflicts, emphasizing the growing role of cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, and satellite surveillance. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed this, noting that modern warfare relies on precision-guided weapons, real-time intelligence, and data-driven strategies to ensure operational success.