Was a Pakistani Mirage Shot Down in Operation Sindoor? India Releases Video Evidence

New Delhi, May 12 (NationPress) India has officially announced the downing of a Pakistani Mirage fighter jet during Operation Sindoor, with the Indian Army releasing footage that showcases the wreckage of the aircraft. This operation commenced on May 7 as a direct reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people.

In a high-profile joint press conference held in New Delhi, top officials from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy provided an in-depth overview of the operation. The briefing was conducted by Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Air Vice Marshal AK Bharti, Director General Air Operations, and Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations.

During the media interaction, Air Vice Marshal Bharti emphasized the robust performance of India’s indigenous air defense infrastructure throughout the conflict.

"Our battle-tested systems proved their mettle and confronted the challenge head-on. A significant highlight has been the exceptional performance of the indigenous air defense system, the Akash system. The establishment and operationalization of this effective air defense environment have been made possible due to the budgetary and policy support from the Government of India over the last decade," he stated.

Operation Sindoor, lasting around 25 minutes, targeted nine locations associated with terrorism—four within mainland Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that the strikes eliminated over 100 terrorists and inflicted significant damage on the infrastructure of Pakistan-based terror organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

In response, Pakistan initiated a series of drone and missile attacks across Indian territory, aiming at military installations and civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Cities such as Chandigarh, Jaisalmer, and Pathankot experienced power outages and air raid sirens.

India faced limited damage in Udhampur, Adampur, Pathankot, and Bhuj. Civilian injuries were reported in Punjab’s Ferozepur district, with a government employee losing their life in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir.

Air Vice Marshal Bharti underscored the significance of domestic counter-drone technologies in neutralizing threats. "Multiple waves of drones and unmanned combat aerial vehicles deployed by Pakistan were countered by our indigenously developed soft and hard kill counter-UAS systems and our well-trained Indian Air Defence personnel," he remarked.