India’s Operation Sindoor Exposes Pakistan’s Weakness, Destroying Chinese JF-17 Fighters And Military Infrastructure

Washington: Indian Air Force Chief AP Singh has revealed that during Operation Sindoor, India destroyed not only American F-16s but also 9-10 Pakistani fighter aircraft, including JF-17s. This is in addition to the Pakistani transport aircraft C-130 and some AEW&C aircraft destroyed by the Indian Air Force. Interestingly, while during the Balakot airstrike in 2019, the US immediately dismissed India's claim of shooting down a Pakistani F-16 with a MiG-21 Bison, this time the US has not issued any such denial. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was a response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 Indians.

Through this operation, India targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. During this operation, the Indian Air Force completely destroyed Pakistan's air infrastructure. India's attack was so swift and fierce that Pakistan did not even get a chance to recover.

Pakistan Losses In Operation Sindoor

Addressing the media on October 3, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated that the Indian Air Force destroyed 12 to 13 Pakistani aircraft, including 9 to 10 fighter jets. These included four to five high-tech fighter jets—the US-made F-16 and the JF-17, jointly developed with China. He added that four to five F-16s were destroyed in a hangar, possibly for maintenance.

India destroyed the Pakistani Air Force

The Indian Air Force also shot down a Pakistani Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) or intelligence aircraft from long range. India also destroyed four radar stations, two command-and-control centers, two runways, and three hangars of the Pakistan Air Force. The S-400 AD system, acquired from Russia in 2021, played a key role in this attack, proving "highly effective" in shooting down Pakistan's Chinese and US-supplied fighter jets and AEW&C aircraft.

Pakistan rejected India's claims

Pakistan has strongly denied the Indian Air Force Chief's statements. He claimed that Pakistan shot down "several" Indian aircraft and caused heavy damage. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif recently reiterated these claims at the United Nations General Assembly. India responded by saying that if burned hangars and destroyed runways are a victory, then congratulations to Pakistan.

India destroyed JF-17 fighter jets

Pakistan suffered a major loss in the form of its JF-17 fighter jets. This was an aircraft Pakistan was proud of. Pakistani defense experts even described it as more powerful than India's Tejas and a fighter aircraft comparable to the Rafale. However, India shot down at least 9-10 JF-17s in the air during Operation Sindoor. This shows that the JF-17 is still a junk fighter for Pakistan and China, lacking in power. The destruction of the JF-17 is even more significant than the F-16 because most of the US-made fighter jets were destroyed on the ground, while the JF-17 was shot down in the air.

What is the JF-17 fighter jet?

Jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), the JF-17 Thunder was designed as an affordable, yet powerful, multi-role aircraft. Priced at $25–50 million per unit (Block III version), it is pitched as a cost-effective alternative to Western jets, such as the F-16 or Gripen, featuring an AESA radar, beyond-visual-range missiles, and a top speed of Mach 1.6.