India confirms fighter jet losses during Operation Sindoor but quiet on how many

Speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, addressed the issue in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg TV and later reported widely across media platforms. His remarks mark the most candid assessment yet from any Indian official regarding the military confrontation that erupted on May 7.

India’s military confirmed for the first time that it lost an unspecified number of fighter jets in clashes with Pakistan in May.

Anil Chauhan, chief of defense staff of the Indian Armed Forces, spoke to Bloomberg TV on Saturday, while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in… pic.twitter.com/9y3GW6WJfn

— Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) May 31, 2025

General Chauhan rejected Pakistan’s claims that it had shot down six Indian warplanes as “absolutely incorrect” but admitted that India did lose jets during the operations. He declined to specify the exact number, focusing instead on the broader operational context.

“What is important is not the number of jets that were downed, but why they were downed,” Chauhan said. “We identified tactical mistakes, rectified them, and were able to resume air operations two days later with improved precision.”

This is the first time India has publicly acknowledged the loss of aircraft, following weeks of speculation after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed multiple aerial victories over Indian jets.

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Conflict Rooted in Jammu and Kashmir Terror Attack

The May skirmish between the two nuclear-armed neighbours was the most severe since the 1971 war. It was triggered by a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-based terror outfits for orchestrating the assault. Pakistan denied any involvement.

The conflict rapidly escalated into a multi-domain clash involving airstrikes, drone warfare, missile exchanges, and artillery fire along the Line of Control (LoC).

General Chauhan also dismissed concerns raised by former US President Donald Trump, who suggested the US played a role in averting a nuclear war during the conflict. Chauhan called such interpretations “far-fetched.”

“I personally feel that there is a lot of space between the conduct of conventional operations and the nuclear threshold,” he said, adding that communication channels with Pakistan remained open throughout the skirmish to manage escalation.

He emphasized that while tensions were high, both nations operated with restraint, utilizing sub-escalation ladders and diplomatic tools to avoid a full-blown crisis.

Indian Precision Strikes Targeted Deep Pakistani Airbases

General Chauhan also addressed reports that China provided Pakistan with satellite intelligence and air defense systems during the conflict. He dismissed those systems as ineffective, asserting that India executed precision strikes on heavily defended Pakistani airbases 300 kilometers deep inside enemy territory.

“Our air force delivered meter-level precision on targets protected by Chinese-supplied air defenses. Their effectiveness was overstated,” he said.

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General Chauhan confirmed that a cessation of hostilities is currently holding but reiterated that India has drawn clear red lines regarding future provocations.

“The situation will remain stable as long as Pakistan adheres to those red lines. The onus is now on them,” he concluded.

Both India and Pakistan have been actively engaging with international allies and global forums to shape the post-conflict narrative. The broader implications of this conflict are expected to influence regional security policies, arms purchases, and strategic posturing in South Asia for months to come.