An Indian defense analyst has questioned the recent Air Chief’s claim about shooting down Pakistani jets during Operation Sindoor. On August 9, the Indian Air Force Chief said Indian forces destroyed five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft in May. He also hinted that several Pakistani F-16s on the ground might have been damaged or destroyed.
However, Pravin Sawhney, a well-known Indian journalist and defense expert, expressed serious doubts. In an interview with The Wire, Sawhney said the Air Chief’s claim “doesn’t stand to scrutiny” and pointed out many missing details. He asked, “Where is the evidence?” Sawhney also suggested the claim could have been made under pressure but did not specify from whom.
On the other side, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif firmly rejected India’s claims. Speaking on national media and the social platform X, he stated that not a single Pakistani aircraft was hit or destroyed. He claimed Pakistan had shot down six Indian fighter jets and damaged multiple Indian airbases. He also said the Line of Control (LoC) caused greater losses to India, which India did not admit publicly.
Khawaja Asif challenged both India and Pakistan to share their aircraft records with independent international bodies to confirm the truth. He said, “Lies do not win wars,” urging transparency and accurate reporting. He also warned India that any violation of Pakistani airspace would be met with a “swift and effective response.”
As tensions rise, both countries continue to restrict each other’s airlines from flying in their airspace. This ongoing conflict shows how fragile the relationship is between India and Pakistan. Military claims and counterclaims keep the situation tense in South Asia.
For the latest updates on Pakistan International Airlines’ new flight service from Riyadh to Sialkot, read more on PIA Begins New Flight Service to Sialkot from Riyadh
