Updated: 7 May 2025, 10:09 AM IST
Following India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has claimed that its military shot down five Indian fighter jets—three Rafale planes, one SU-30, and one MIG-29. This information was shared by a Pakistan military spokesperson with Reuters.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in an interview with Bloomberg, stated that the country also captured an undisclosed number of Indian soldiers. “They have taken the initiative, we have just responded,” Asif said. “If India attacks, we’ll respond. If India backs down, we’ll definitely wrap up.”
What Was Operation Sindoor?
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine key terrorist infrastructure locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). These strikes were carried out in retaliation to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen.
The Indian government emphasized that the strikes were “focused, measured and non-escalatory,” with no Pakistani military facilities being targeted. The operation aimed to degrade the capabilities of terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, using high-precision weaponry.
India’s Official Statement
India stated that the strikes were conducted under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The focus was on camps used to plan and coordinate cross-border terrorist attacks. The government reiterated that the operations were designed to limit civilian casualties and avoid military escalation.
Pakistan’s Response
As India struck four locations within Pakistan—including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot—and five in PoK, Pakistan warned of consequences. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Islamabad reserves the right to respond and will not let India’s missile strikes go unpunished.
Civilian Casualties at the LoC
Amid these heightened tensions, the Indian Army reported that three civilians were killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling from across the Line of Control. The firing occurred overnight on May 6-7, affecting areas near Jammu and Kashmir. India confirmed it is responding in a proportionate manner.
What do you think?
- Do you believe Pakistan’s claims about shooting down Indian jets?
- Should India escalate further or seek diplomatic resolution?
- Is Operation Sindoor the beginning of a larger conflict?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
