Did the Pakistani Mirage Get Shattered?

New Delhi, May 12 (NationPress) The Indian Army presented a compelling video compilation titled 'Destroy the Enemy in the Sky' during a high-profile briefing for senior defense officials. This video highlighted the synchronized efforts of the Army, Navy, and Air Force during the recently executed Operation Sindoor. A particularly striking part of the footage featured a still collage depicting what is believed to be enemy military wreckage. One image was prominently captioned: 'The Pakistani Mirage... Shattered', emphasizing the confirmed destruction of a Pakistani fighter jet during the operation.

During a joint press conference in New Delhi, high-ranking officials from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy detailed the operation. This briefing was orchestrated 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.

Air Vice Marshal Bharti emphasized the effectiveness of India’s homegrown air defense systems amidst the conflict. 'Our battle-tested systems proved their mettle and engaged the enemy directly. A significant highlight has been the exceptional performance of the indigenous air defense system, the Akash system. Establishing and operationalizing a robust air defense environment has been made possible through financial and policy support from the Government of India over the past decade,' he stated.

Operation Sindoor, which spanned around 25 minutes, targeted nine terror-associated sites, including four within mainland Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Defense Minister Rajnath Singh previously confirmed that the strikes resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists and inflicted severe damage on infrastructure linked to Pakistan-based terror organizations, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

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

India faced limited damage in Udhampur, Adampur, Pathankot, and Bhuj, with civilian casualties reported, including injuries in Punjab’s Ferozepur district and the death of a government employee in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir.

Air Vice Marshal Bharti highlighted the effectiveness of domestic counter-drone technologies in mitigating threats. 'Numerous waves of drones and unmanned combat aerial vehicles deployed by Pakistan were successfully countered by our indigenously developed soft and hard kill counter-UAS systems, along with the skilled personnel of the Indian Air Defense,' he remarked.