India Lost Fighter Jets in Op Sindoor Amid Targeting Restrictions, Reveals Navy Officer

India Lost Fighter Jets During Operation Sindoor: Political Restrictions Blamed

India Lost Fighter Jets in Op Sindoor Due to Limited Strike Orders

India lost fighter jets in the early stages of Operation Sindoor because the country’s political leadership initially restricted the Indian Air Force (IAF) from targeting Pakistan’s military infrastructure, according to Navy Captain Shiv Kumar, the Defence Attaché to Indonesia. Speaking at a seminar in Jakarta on June 10, he acknowledged that India did lose aircraft but emphasized it was due to limitations imposed on the military’s targeting scope.

This revelation came in response to claims made by an Indonesian air power expert, who alleged that India lost up to five fighter jets during the operation. Although Captain Kumar disagreed with the exact number, he confirmed that some jets were lost and attributed the losses to constraints that limited attacks to terrorist camps alone.

Navy Officer Confirms India Lost Fighter Jets But Disputes Numbers

Captain Kumar clarified, “I may not agree that India lost so many aircraft, but I do agree we did lose some aircraft. And that happened only because the political leadership directed us not to strike military establishments or air defences.”

His comment refers to Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed. The air operations began on May 7 and focused on terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to sources, the IAF initially avoided military targets but revised its strategy following setbacks.

Strategy Shift After India Lost Fighter Jets

Following early losses, the Indian Armed Forces adapted their approach. “After the loss, we changed our tactics and went for their military installations. We focused on suppression and destruction of enemy air defences,” Captain Kumar explained.

Using advanced missile systems like BrahMos, India achieved air superiority between May 8 and May 10. This strategic shift allowed the IAF to effectively neutralize Pakistani threats and complete its objectives with increased precision.

India Lost Fighter Jets: Embassy Clarifies Remarks Were Misunderstood

While Captain Kumar’s comments have gained widespread attention, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta issued a clarification. It stated that the officer’s remarks were “taken out of context” and misrepresented by some media outlets.

“The speaker emphasized that the Indian Armed Forces operate under civilian leadership and that Operation Sindoor was designed to be a non-escalatory response, aimed strictly at terrorist infrastructure,” the embassy said.

Defence Ministry Silent on Reports That India Lost Fighter Jets

Despite mounting discussions, the Indian Defence Ministry has not issued any formal statement confirming the number of aircraft lost. The absence of a clear government position has further fueled public and political speculation.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan had earlier indicated that some IAF losses occurred due to tactical errors, which were quickly rectified. He confirmed that Indian fighter jets later executed successful precision strikes deep inside Pakistani territory, overcoming initial hurdles.

Political Fallout as India Lost Fighter Jets in High-Stakes Operation

The political ramifications of the revelation that India lost fighter jets have been significant. The Congress party has demanded transparency from the government. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned why no all-party meeting has been convened and why the demand for a special parliamentary session on Operation Sindoor has been denied.

“First the CDS makes explosive revelations in Singapore, and then a senior defence official speaks in Jakarta. Yet, the Prime Minister has stayed silent. The nation deserves answers,” Ramesh said.

Details Emerge on How India Lost Fighter Jets in Initial Strikes

Reports suggest that India lost three Rafale jets, a MiG-29, a Sukhoi-30, and a tactical drone in the early days of Operation Sindoor. These losses were allegedly due to temporary disconnections in India’s Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), which exposed vulnerabilities.

However, these claims remain unverified, and Indian officials have largely downplayed the extent of the losses. In contrast, Pakistani losses were reportedly higher, including six fighter jets, two AWACS aircraft, and a military transport plane.

India Lost Fighter Jets, But IAF Also Inflicted Heavy Damage on Pakistan

Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, said on May 11 that while India did suffer some losses, the IAF achieved its primary objective—decimating terrorist bases in Pakistan and PoK. “We are in a combat situation. Losses are inevitable. What matters is whether the mission was successful. And the answer is a thumping yes,” he declared.

He also confirmed that most Indian fighter pilots involved in the conflict had returned safely, adding that technical teams are reviewing the details to assess the exact nature of the engagements.

Operation Sindoor: The Broader Context in Which India Lost Fighter Jets

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a retaliatory response to the Pahalgam massacre. Over the next four days, India and Pakistan engaged in intense military exchanges involving fighter aircraft, drones, long-range missiles, and artillery.

The operation culminated on May 10 after both sides agreed to cease hostilities. According to General Chauhan, Pakistan’s counter-operation “Bunyan-um-Marsoos” failed within eight hours, despite ambitious plans to destabilize India.

Conclusion: Did India Lose Fighter Jets Due to Strategy or Restraint?

The controversy over whether India lost fighter jets during Operation Sindoor—and why—continues to grow. While political restrictions may have played a role in early setbacks, the Armed Forces swiftly adapted and turned the tide.

Whether or not the full details ever become public, one thing is clear: India lost fighter jets, but its forces demonstrated resilience, tactical agility, and the ability to dominate in a high-stakes combat scenario.

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