Key Points
- Indian Armed Forces held a joint press conference on Sunday, May 11, confirming successful operations against Pakistan.
- Air Marshal AK Bharti revealed India shot down multiple Pakistani fighter jets, including “high-tech” aircraft, during recent border conflicts.
- All Indian pilots have safely returned home despite the intense combat operations.
- India targeted six Pakistani airbases including Chaklala, Rafiq, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad.
- The ceasefire that began at 5 PM on May 10 appears to be holding despite initial violations.
- Prime Minister Modi chaired a high-level meeting with defense and foreign affairs leaders on Sunday to assess the situation.
New Delhi: An uneasy calm prevails along the India-Pakistan border following the May 10 ceasefire, as Indian military leadership revealed significant operational successes against Pakistani forces during the four-day conflict. In a historic joint press briefing on Sunday, May 11, senior officers from all three services detailed India’s military response to Pakistan’s provocations and confirmed the downing of multiple Pakistani fighter jets.
“We Have the Capability to Target Every System at Pakistan’s Bases”
Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO), delivered a powerful message during the briefing, emphasizing India’s military capabilities while confirming successful strikes against Pakistani assets.
“We have the capability to target every system at these bases and more,” Bharti stated. “However, it was only a measured response to instill good wisdom to our adversary to refrain from further escalation. IAF’s response was directed only at military installations, avoiding civilians and collateral damage.”
The Air Marshal confirmed that Indian forces had successfully prevented Pakistani fighter jets from entering Indian airspace and had shot down several “high-tech” aircraft during the engagement. While declining to specify exact numbers or aircraft types, he noted, “We don’t have wreckage with us, but definitely, we have downed a few Pakistani planes. I have the numbers and we are getting into technical details to establish it.”
Multiple Pakistani Airbases Targeted in Precision Strikes
In a significant revelation, Air Marshal Bharti detailed India’s coordinated strikes against Pakistani military infrastructure following a mass drone attack on Indian cities on May 8-9.
“A decision was taken to strike where it would hurt and towards that in a swift, coordinated, calibrated attack, we struck its Air bases, command centers, military infrastructure, air defense systems across the entire Western Front,” Bharti explained. “The bases we struck includes Chaklala, Rafiq, Rahim Yar Khan sending a clear message that aggression will not be tolerated. This was followed by strikes at Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad.”
These strikes represent one of the most extensive Indian military operations against Pakistani infrastructure in decades, targeting key air defense systems and command centers while carefully avoiding civilian casualties.
All Indian Pilots Safe Despite Intense Combat
Despite the high-intensity operations, Air Marshal Bharti confirmed that all Indian pilots had returned safely to base.
“We are in a combat scenario and losses are part of combat. However, we have achieved all our objectives and all our pilots are back home,” he stated, addressing concerns about potential casualties during the operations.
This statement contradicts Pakistani claims of shooting down Indian aircraft, further highlighting the disinformation campaign that characterized much of Pakistan’s response during the conflict.
Pakistani Jets Downed: F-16 and JF-17 Losses Reported
While military officials were cautious about providing specific details during the briefing, earlier reports indicated that India had shot down at least one F-16 fighter jet and possibly two JF-17 fighter planes. According to government sources cited by Indian media, an F-16 was downed near Sargodha air base by Indian surface-to-air missiles.
The F-16, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, represents one of Pakistan’s most advanced fighter aircraft, acquired from the United States in the late 1980s. The JF-17, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, constitutes another crucial component of Pakistan’s air force.
Ceasefire Holding Despite Initial Violations
The ceasefire that came into effect at 5 PM on May 10 appears to be largely holding, despite initial violations reported within hours of the agreement. Both sides have maintained communication through military hotlines, with the Directors General of Military Operations scheduled to hold follow-up talks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and the tri-services chiefs to assess the situation. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan also participated in the discussions.
As tensions ease, residents in border areas have cautiously begun returning to their homes, though officials have warned it may take days to clear unexploded munitions in some regions. The conflict, which began with India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan on May 7, resulted in approximately 35-40 Pakistani Army personnel killed in exchanges along the Line of Control between May 7-10, according to Indian military sources.
While both nations have stepped back from the brink of wider conflict, India has maintained that its position remains clear: if Pakistan fires, India will respond more forcefully; if Pakistan stops, India will stop.
