New Delhi: Pakistan suffered heavy losses during Operation Sindoor in May, with over 100 soldiers killed along the Line of Control (LoC) and at least 12 aircraft destroyed, according to Indian Army Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.
Speaking about the four-day conflict from May 7 to 10, Lt Gen Ghai said the figures were drawn from Pakistan’s own posthumous award list released on August 14, which indirectly confirmed the scale of their casualties. The losses came after India launched precision strikes on nine terror targets across the border in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Following India’s offensive, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border firing and attempted drone strikes, which Lt Gen Ghai described as a “dismal failure.” He said various types of drones were deployed to inflict damage but were effectively neutralised by Indian forces.
In response to Pakistan’s actions, the Indian Air Force conducted major precision strikes between May 9 and 10, targeting 11 Pakistani air bases. The operation destroyed or damaged eight bases, three hangars, and four radar systems. Among the assets lost by Pakistan were a C-130 aircraft, an Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system, and several fighter jets. Lt Gen Ghai said that Indian forces also achieved the world’s longest ground-to-air strike, taking down five high-tech fighters at a range of over 300 kilometres.
He added that the Indian Navy was on full alert and ready to engage if Pakistan had escalated further, warning that such a move would have been “catastrophic” for Islamabad.
Operation Sindoor concluded on May 10 after both sides agreed to cease hostilities. The operation, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrated what Lt Gen Ghai called a “doctrinal shift” in India’s approach to terrorism. He reaffirmed that India now views terror attacks as acts of war, promising decisive retaliation and rejecting any distinction between terrorists and their sponsors.
