India’s Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has shared new details about Operation Sindoor, calling it one of the most decisive and strategically important missions in recent IAF history.
According to the IAF chief, the operation led to the downing of five Pakistani fighter jets and one airborne surveillance aircraft. An F-16 was destroyed while still inside a hangar, which is a remarkable achievement for India’s air defense network.
These comments come during a tense international climate, with US President Donald Trump increasing his criticism of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing for a high-stakes visit to China, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Moscow to discuss buying advanced weapons.
In a post-operation debrief, Air Chief Marshal Singh said the IAF’s S-400 Triumf air defense system has been a “game changer” in neutralizing enemy aircraft. This system allowed India to strike deep into Pakistani territory with minimal risk to its forces. One of the most notable targets was a Pakistani F-16, which was destroyed while still in its hangar, an unusual success in modern aerial warfare.
In Parliament, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of sending the armed forces into Operation Sindoor with “hands tied behind their back.”
He criticised what he called “politically constrained warfare” and claimed that the government’s focus was on appearances rather than achieving complete operational goals. Gandhi also challenged PM Modi to confront Trump publicly and call him a liar regarding Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire deal between India and Pakistan.
The news about Operation Sindoor arises as Indo-US relations are facing new challenges. President Trump has sharply criticized India’s trade and defense policies, imposing tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods and pausing bilateral trade talks.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPM Modi is set to visit China from August 31 to September 1 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. This will be his first trip to Beijing in over seven years.
Meanwhile, NSA Ajit Doval is in Moscow to hold talks about acquiring additional S-400 systems and negotiate a deal for the Su-57 stealth fighter.