India downed Pakistani jets, killed over 100 terrorists in Operation Sindoor: Air Marshal Bharti

In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, which saw India strike deep into the heart of Pakistan, targeting terror infrastructure, senior defence officials addressed the media and pointed out that Indian forces inflicted significant losses on both Pakistani military personnel and terrorist camps across the Line of Control.

Addressing the media in the first detailed briefing since the ceasefire was declared, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti confirmed that Pakistani fighter aircraft attempting to breach Indian airspace had been intercepted and repelled, during the Operation.

“Definitely, we have downed a few Pakistani fighter aircraft,” Bharti said. “I have the numbers, but we are getting into the technical details of establishing it. I would not put a figure, but definitely losses have been inflicted upon the enemy side.”

When asked about the extent of the damage inflicted on Pakistan’s military infrastructure, Bharti was cautious but firm: “We would not like to hazard a guess at this point, but we are confident in our operational outcomes.”

In one of the most decisive retaliatory actions in recent years, the Indian Army revealed that between May 7 and May 10, approximately 35 to 40 Pakistani Army personnel were killed along the Line of Control.

The Indian response came after terrorists targeted innocent tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam, killing 26.

DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who joined Bharti at the media briefing, said India had “achieved total surprise” during the strikes. According to him, nine terror hubs—suspected training and logistical bases—were destroyed in precision operations conducted jointly by the Indian Army and Air Force.

Among the over 100 terrorists neutralised, Indian forces confirmed the killing of high-value operatives, including Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed, who were implicated in past major terror strikes like the 1999 hijacking of IC-814 and the Pulwama bombing. “These were deliberate, intelligence-driven operations,” said Lt Gen Ghai, “and we ensured minimal collateral damage while achieving maximum impact.”

Air Marshal Bharti also presented before-and-after satellite imagery of the destroyed terror camps, offering rare visual confirmation of the mission's effectiveness. The images reportedly show obliterated compounds and scorched launch pads previously used for infiltration into Indian territory.