Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 12: In a significant revelation, India on Monday confirmed that a Pakistani Mirage fighter jet was shot down during the precision strikes of Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 7. The Indian Army released a video showing the wreckage of the jet, further cementing the operation's impact on Pakistan’s military assets.
At a high-level tri-services press briefing in New Delhi, senior commanders from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy gave a detailed account of the retaliatory operation launched after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Indian intelligence agencies have attributed the deadly attack to the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and alleged complicity from Pakistan's military establishment.
The briefing was jointly addressed by Lt gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Air Vice Marshal AK Bharti, Director General Air Operations, and Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations.
"Our battle-proven systems stood the test of time. A major highlight has been the stellar performance of our indigenous Akash air defence system. The robust air defence network was made possible by strong policy and budgetary support from the government over the past decade," said Air Vice Marshal AK Bharti.
Operation Sindoor lasted approximately 25 minutes and targeted nine terror locations—four in mainland Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier confirmed that the operation eliminated over 100 terrorists and demolished several key terror facilities linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Following the Indian airstrikes, Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military bases and border towns in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. These attacks prompted air raid sirens and emergency blackouts in cities like Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Jaisalmer.
While installations in Udhampur, Adampur, Pathankot, and Bhuj reported limited damage, civilian casualties were not entirely avoided. A government employee was killed in Rajouri (J&K), and several civilians were injured in Ferozepur, Punjab.
“Multiple waves of drones and UCAVs launched by Pakistan were intercepted and neutralised by our domestically developed soft and hard kill counter-UAS systems. This was made possible by our skilled and alert air defence personnel,” Air Vice Marshal Bharti added.
The briefing underlined India’s preparedness and technological strength, signaling a firm stance against cross-border terrorism and aggressive provocations.