In a significant revelation, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Saturday confirmed the downing of five Pakistani fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, marking one of the biggest aerial victories in recent years for the Indian Air Force. The operation, launched in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April, was aimed at neutralizing cross-border terror infrastructure.

Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the Indian Army is engaged in one of its longest-running anti-terror operations in recent memory. The encounter in Akhal forests entered its ninth day on Saturday (August 9), with two Indian soldiers martyred and two others injured in a fresh exchange of gunfire.

Air Chief Confirms Major Pakistani Losses

While speaking at the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture held at the HAL Management Academy in Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal Singh disclosed details of the precision strikes carried out during Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of May 7.

“We have confirmation of at least five fighter jet kills and one large aircraft, likely an AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) or ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) platform, which was taken out at a distance of about 300 kilometres, making it the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill,” the IAF Chief said.

He further praised the effectiveness of India’s recently acquired S-400 air defence system, calling it a “game-changer” in modern aerial warfare.

“Their long-range weapons, including glide bombs, couldn’t be used effectively because our air defence network, especially the S-400, prevented them from entering our airspace,” he added.

Backdrop: Terror Attack in Pahalgam

Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to a brutal terror attack on April 22, when militants opened fire in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian citizens and a Nepali national. The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility but later retracted.

According to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the mission targeted key terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) and was executed with “surgical precision,” eliminating over 100 terrorists and handlers in just 22 minutes.

Indian Army Loses Two Soldiers in Ongoing Kulgam Operation

As the nation absorbed the news of aerial victories, tragic reports emerged from South Kashmir. Two Indian Army soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, were killed during intense overnight fighting in Akhal forests, Kulgam.

The Chinar Corps, in a solemn post on X (formerly Twitter), honoured their “supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” pledging to continue the operation and expressing solidarity with the grieving families.

“Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us,” said an official Army statement.

The encounter, which began on August 1, has now entered its ninth day, making it one of the most prolonged operations against militants in recent times in the Valley.

Terrorists Cornered in Dense Forests

Security officials stated that the terrorists remain holed up in the upper reaches of Akhal, an area known for its thick forests and strategic linkages to other parts of South Kashmir. Movement has been hampered by wet weather conditions, slowing the advance of troops.

To intensify efforts, the Army has deployed drones, UAVs, and helicopters to monitor and strike terrorist hideouts. Reinforcements have been brought in to maintain the cordon and prevent any escape routes.

Casualties Mount; Civilians Relocated

Four soldiers were injured in the latest exchange of fire, two of whom later succumbed. On August 7, local civilians residing near the encounter site were relocated to safer areas due to the intensifying combat.

Earlier in the operation, one terrorist, believed to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, was killed. The Army continues to press forward, committed to eliminating all remaining threats in the area.

As Operation Sindoor receives praise for its swift and decisive execution, the Kulgam encounter serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges India faces in its fight against terrorism. While the battle continues on the ground, the nation mourns the loss of its brave soldiers and salutes the forces’ unyielding determination.