Not a single Pakistani aircraft was hit or destroyed by Indian armed forces, claims Khawaja Asif
His comments came hours after Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during Operation Sindoor.
"We have an indication of at least one AWC in that AWC hangar, and a few F-16s, which are under maintenance there. We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft, which could be either an aircraft or an AWC, which was taken at a distance of about 300 kilometres. This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about," Mr. Singh said on Saturday (August 9, 2025).
He said the operation also resulted in a large number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones and some of their missiles falling into the Indian territory.
"Not a single Pakistani aircraft was hit or destroyed by (the) Indian (side),' Mr. Asif claimed in a post on social media.
"For three months, no such claims were voiced - while Pakistan, in the immediate aftermath, presented detailed technical briefings to the international media...," he added.
He said the belated assertions made by the Indian Air Force Chief regarding destruction of Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor "are as implausible as they are ill-timed."
Mr. Asif claimed that the losses on the Line of Control for the Indian armed forces were disproportionately heavier as well. "If the truth is in question, let both sides open their aircraft inventories to independent verification — though we suspect this would lay bare the reality India seeks to obscure," he added.
He also said that every violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity will invite "swift, surefire and proportionate response".
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Sukhoi-30-launched Brahmos was the primary offensive weapon in Op Sindoor: DRDO chief
Stating that Brahmos missile launched from Sukhoi-30 MKI was the primary offensive weapon used during Operation Sindoor, chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Samir V Kamat said on Saturday that the development of a smaller version of the supersonic cruise missile, Brahmos-NG, will soon begin. He said this variant can be fitted on other aircraft because of its reduced size. Kamat was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 14th convocation ceremony of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune on Saturday. Speaking about Operation Sindoor during a press briefing, Kamat said, 'When it comes to offensive weapons, Brahmos was the primary weapon that we used, mainly the air-launched variant which was launched from Sukhoi-30 MKI platform. When it comes to defence weapons systems, Akash missile, the D4 anti-drone system and the MRSAM were used. All the sensors were networked using the AI-based Akashteer (indigenous automated air defence control and reporting system) which helped in identifying the threats coming towards us and deploying the right kind of weapon to neutralise them.' When asked about the development of a smaller version of the supersonic cruise missile Brahmos, Kamat said, 'Right now it is in the planning stages. We are looking at Brahmos NG which is a smaller version of Brahmos which can then be fitted on all our other aircraft. Today, Brahmos can be fitted only on the Sukhoi-30 MKI platform. But if we can make it smaller, it can be fitted on all our platforms. We are planning to start its development soon.' Brahmos is an extremely versatile stand-off range 'fire-and-forget' type supersonic cruise missile that has proved its capabilities in land-based, ship-based, air launched and submarine-based versions. The Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) is the heaviest missile to arm India's frontline fighter jet Sukhoi-30 MKI. Speaking about the indigenous light tank Zorawar, Kamat said, 'It is at a more advanced stage. We have finished the development trials and we will offer it for user trials starting September.' Answering a question on defence exports, 'Last year, we had defence exports worth nearly Rs 23,000 crore. Based on the interest we are getting now because of the success of our systems in Operation Sindoor, I expect these exports to double in the next two to three years. We should achieve Rs 50,000 crore of exports by 2028-29 which is also the target set to us by the Defence Minister. There is a lot of interest in the Pinaka rocket system, ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System), Brahmos and Akash. I am sure that in the years to come, the exports of these systems will increase.' When asked about the countries that have shown interest, Kamat said: 'I will not go into specifics. But South East Asia, Middle East and Africa are the regions.' Speaking about the development of Kaveri engine by the DRDO, 'When the development of the Kaveri engine was started, it was to be used in the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft.) The thrust required for LCA is about 84 kilonewtons. While the development was successful, the thrust that we could achieve based on our design was about 72 kilonewtons. So, Kaveri could not be fitted on LCA. But we are now modifying Kaveri. After removing its afterburner, we are terming it as Kaveri Derivative which is expected to provide a thrust of 49 kilonewton. It will be used in unmanned combat aerial vehicle programmes. Currently, the high altitude testing of this derivative engine is on and it will be tested on the flying testbed. And then it will be certified.' Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22 minutes ago
- First Post
Operation Sindoor was a declaration of India's self-reliance in defence, exports to double in three years: DRDO chief
Operation Sindoor showcased India's self-reliance and tech strength, said DRDO chief Samir Kamat. It used indigenous systems like Akash missiles and BrahMos. Defence exports may double in next 2-3 years, he said. read more Operation Sindoor was a 'declaration' of India's ability to stand tall through self-reliance, strategic foresight, and indigenous technological strength, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Samir Kamat said on Saturday. Speaking at the 14th convocation of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) here, Kamat said the highly coordinated, multi-dimensional operation along the western borders highlighted not just the courage of the soldiers, but also the technological backbone that supported them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After Operation Sindoor's success, he expects India's defence exports to double in the next two to three years, he said. 'Operation Sindoor was more than a mission. It was a declaration of India's ability to stand tall through self-reliance, strategic foresight, and indigenous technological strength. It was a statement to the world that India has the capability to protect its borders through homegrown technology,' the DRDO chief said. From sensors, unmanned platforms and secure communications to AI-based decision support systems and precision weapons, indigenous platforms played a key role in the operation, he said. The systems deployed for the operation included Akash surface-to-air missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the D4 anti-drone system, the AWNC airborne early warning and control system and the Akashteer system, all developed by India's defence R&D ecosystem. Institutions such as the DIAT played a crucial role in these developments, Kamat noted. The Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor against terrorist targets in Pakistan on May 7, following the Pahalgam attack of April 22, 2025, in which 26 people were killed. He further said it is the next generation's job to keep this momentum going and make India a technology leader in defence technologies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call that by 2047, India should become both a developed nation and a technology leader, he said. 'We are now entering an era where the definition of warfare is rapidly expanding. Battles are no longer confined to borders or front lines. They are fought across domains — land, air, sea, space, cyberspace, and even the electromagnetic spectrum. What does this mean for the graduating students of DIAT? It means you are no longer students of a conventional academic discipline. You are now part of India's defence capability architecture,' Kamat said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Their knowledge in quantum technologies, cybersecurity, robotics, materials engineering, missile systems, missile propulsion, and artificial intelligence has direct implications for national defence, he told the graduating DIAT students. 'You are not generalists. You are specialists trained at the intersection of science and defence technologies. Few institutions globally possess such clarity of purpose, and fewer still match the urgency and national significance of your work. As the world becomes more geopolitically unstable and as technology rapidly transforms the nature of both threats and opportunities, the burden and privilege of responsibility will fall on you,' he said. Speaking to reporters later, Kamat said among offensive weapons, BrahMos, used from Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, was the primary weapon during Operation Sindoor. 'When it comes to defensive weapon systems, the Akash system, the D4 anti-drone system, and the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) were used. All the sensors we deployed were networked with Akashteer, an AI-based system, which helped identify threats and then deploy the right kind of weapon to neutralise them,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Radars used by the Indian armed forces performed exceedingly well, Kamat noted. Given the current geopolitical situation, it is absolutely essential to have our own capabilities, and only then the country can take sovereign decisions, said the DRDO chief. 'It is essential that in all critical weapon systems and technologies, we should have indigenous capabilities,' he said. Asked about the increase in defence exports post Operation Sindoor, Kamat said last year India achieved about Rs 23,000 crore in defence exports. 'Post the success of Operation Sindoor, I expect these exports to double in the next two to three years. We should achieve Rs 50,000 crore by 2029, which is the target set for us by the Defence Minister. There is a lot of interest in Pinaka, ATAGS, BrahMos, and Akash. I am sure that in the coming years, defence exports will increase manifold,' he said. Countries from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa are importing arms from India, Kamat said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), he said it is a smaller version of BrahMos that can be fitted on multiple platforms. 'Currently, BrahMos can be fitted only on the Sukhoi platform, but if we make it smaller, it can fit on other platforms as well. We are planning to start the development of BrahMos-NG soon,' he said. During the convocation ceremony, degrees were awarded to 298 students including 206 MTech students, 68 MSc and 24 PhD students from various disciplines. A total of 18 gold medals were awarded to students.
India.com
22 minutes ago
- India.com
Built empire worth billions from borrowed Rs 1500, man who sent ex Pakistan PM Imran Khan to jail is now on the run due to..., his name is...
New Delhi: Pakistan is a country that never fails to amaze, amuse, and shock, whether it is the politics of the country, sports, economy, army, or civil society. The latest news is about one of the most influential and rich builders of Pakistan, Malik Riaz Hussain, who is reported to have had access to the power corridors. Malik Riaz Hussain had been active in the country's affairs for a long time. It is alleged that it is because of him that former Prime Minister Imran Khan was jailed. Now, he is in the clutches of the law. Who is Malik Riaz Hussain, and why is he in the news? Malik Riaz Hussain, as mentioned above, is one of the most influential and rich builders of Pakistan with access to the power corridors of the country. Now, he is in the clutches of the law. His Bahria Township is considered the pride of Pakistan, but now his properties are being auctioned. Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has auctioned three properties of Malik to recover the lost money. The story of Malik Riaz Hussain is no less than a fairy tale. Malik was considered the most powerful and influential person in Pakistan for years. He not only had access to big leaders but also had close relations in the army and media. Due to these relations, he often escaped difficulties. But this time, it seems that luck has left him. What is the story behind the loan of 1500 rupees? Malik's story started about 40 years ago as a contractor. At that time, his family did not have enough money to treat their newborn daughter. For this, the family had to sell their silver utensils. But after that, in 1979, Malik borrowed 1500 rupees from his friend and applied for a contract in the engineering wing of the army. After this, Malik's luck shone so much that he reached the list of the richest people of Pakistan. How did he become an outlaw? Malik spent lots of money on army officers and politicians. In return, he started getting big contracts, thereby earning a lot of status and money and getting close to politicians, judges and military officers. He used to say openly that he had bribed not only politicians but also judges and ISI officers. He developed Pakistan's first gated colony, named Bahria Town. He also got huge replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty installed on the hill of the colony. When the noose started tightening in Pakistan, he fled to the UAE. What is the secret of 190 million pounds? The root of this story is linked to a big settlement deal of 190 million pounds (about 2200 crore Indian rupees). In 2019, Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) claimed that Malik Riaz agreed to pay 190 million pounds as a settlement of the ongoing investigation in the UK. It was alleged that this money was obtained from the proceeds of crime. Later, under an agreement, it was decided that this amount would be given to the Pakistani government. How did Imran Khan end up in jail because of Riaz? The real game started from here. Allegations were made that instead of depositing this money in the government treasury, the government of the then Prime Minister Imran Khan used it to pay the fine imposed on Malik Riaz for illegal land acquisition in Karachi. Now, Al-Qadir Trust comes into the scene. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife were accused of taking a bribe from Malik Riaz. It was said that with the help of this money, Imran Khan took land from Malik Riaz and used it for his trust. In this case, Imran Khan was also sentenced to 14 years in January 2025.
