Why India Lost Jets in Op Sindoor: Navy Officer Explains
India lost fighter jets in the early stages of Operation Sindoor due to political restrictions that limited military targets to terrorist camps, according to Captain Shiv Kumar, India’s defence attaché to Indonesia.
During a recent seminar in Jakarta titled “Analysis of the Pakistan-India Air Battle and Indonesia’s Anticipatory Strategies from the Perspective of Air Power”, Captain Kumar explained that initial air losses occurred because Indian forces were instructed not to engage Pakistani military bases or air defences.
“We were told to target only terrorist infrastructure. No military installations, no civilian sites,” he said. The operation was launched in response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives due to a Pakistan-backed terror strike.
Initial Losses and Tactical Shift
Responding to claims made by an Indonesian aerospace expert that India lost five jets — three Rafales, one MiG-29, one Su-30 MKI — and a tactical drone, Captain Kumar said, “I may not agree with that number, but we did lose aircraft due to initial constraints.”
Following these losses, the Indian Air Force reportedly changed its approach. By 8–10 May, India had achieved complete air superiority by implementing SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) and DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defences) missions.
Official Reactions and Clarifications
The Ministry of Defence has so far declined to comment on Kumar’s statements. However, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta issued a clarification, saying, “The media reports misrepresented the purpose and focus of the presentation.”
They emphasized that India’s military operates under civilian control and that Operation Sindoor’s limited scope was deliberate to avoid escalating the conflict with Pakistan.
Earlier Remarks by CDS General Chauhan
Kumar’s statement aligns with earlier remarks by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who admitted tactical errors on 7 May led to aircraft losses. He stated that those errors were corrected quickly and precision strikes resumed with improved results.
Strategic Lessons and Public Debate
This revelation has sparked debate over the balance between political oversight and military autonomy during cross-border operations. While the goal of avoiding conflict escalation is understandable, experts argue that such constraints can put armed forces at risk.
With no official statement yet from the government, questions remain about the cost of restraint in high-stakes military engagements like Operation Sindoor.