For the first time, India has admitted that it lost fighter jets during its recent conflict with Pakistan. General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff, confirmed this in an interview with Bloomberg on May 31.

Focus on the Reason, Not the Numbers

General Chauhan stressed that the key issue was not how many jets were lost but why they went down. “What is important is that, not the jet being down, but why they were being down,” he said. He added that understanding and correcting the mistakes mattered more than counting losses.“Why they were down, what mistakes were made that are important,” he explained. “Numbers are not important,” he added.

India Quickly Recovered and Struck Again

Despite the setback, India learned fast. “The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range,” Chauhan said.

India Denies Pakistan’s Claim of Six Jet Kills

Earlier, Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claimed that their air force shot down six Indian fighter jets. The list included four Rafale jets. However, India strongly denied this claim. Indian officials called it “absolutely incorrect.” No independent source has confirmed Pakistan’s claim so far.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Counterattack

During the clash, India launched Operation Sindoor. Under this mission, Indian forces targeted terrorist bases inside Pakistan and in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).

When Pakistan fired missiles and drones, India responded forcefully. Indian jets destroyed at least eight airbases, air defence systems, and radar sites. These precise strikes forced Pakistan to request a ceasefire on May 10.

Indian Navy Moved Toward Karachi

At the same time, the Indian Navy prepared to strike. On May 10, Indian warships moved just 260 miles from Pakistan’s Makran coast. The Navy looked ready to attack Karachi Naval Port if needed.

S-400 Destroyed Surveillance Jet Inside Pakistan

India also used its advanced S-400 air defence system during the operation. The system, placed in Adampur, shot down a Pakistani SAAB-2000 airborne warning aircraft. This jet was flying 315 kilometers inside Pakistan. Because Pakistan’s air defences were already weakened, the S-400 hit the target easily.