Latest news with #KatreMemorialLecture
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
IAF Chief Talks Aftermath of Precision Strikes on Terror Camps
NEW DELHI, Aug 9: Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh revealed on Saturday that following India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, many close to him expressed that the strikes could have been even more extensive. 'On that night, we were really on a roll. I've heard from many people, and although I hesitate to say this, those very close to me said, 'aur maarna tha' — meaning 'you should have hit them more,'' Singh said during the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru on August 9. He also disclosed that the IAF shot down five Pakistani fighter jets along with a large aircraft, marking India's largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill. 'We have confirmation of at least one AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) in the hangar, along with several F-16s undergoing maintenance. At least five fighters were confirmed shot down, as well as one large aircraft — either an aircraft or AWACS — at a distance of approximately 300 kilometers. This is the largest surface-to-air kill ever recorded by India,' he stated. The operation also resulted in several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and some missiles falling within Indian territory. Based on precise intelligence, Singh said the IAF targeted the airfield, striking the main building where planning was conducted, which also served as a civilian terminal at times. 'At the Sukkur airbase, we hit the UAV hangar and radar site,' he added. Singh commended National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for effectively coordinating various agencies and forces during Operation Sindoor. Highlighting the thorough preparation, he noted that military leaders planned for all possible scenarios and responses. Reflecting on a key lesson from the operation, Singh said, 'The biggest takeaway is the primacy of air warfare. It has once again become clear that air power is the first responder for any country, capable of swift, precise deep strikes to achieve objectives without collateral damage.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Makes all the more shocking...': Congress on IAF chief's revelations on Operation Sindoor; presses PM Modi for answers
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addresses the 16th edition of the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture, in Bengaluru, on Saturday. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Congress leaders on Saturday continued to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief's disclosure that it had shot down at least five Pakistani fighter jets and one airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft during Operation Sindoor in May. 'In view of the new revelations made today by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, it becomes all the more shocking why the PM suddenly stopped Operation Sindoor on the evening of May 10. Where did the pressure come from, and why did he capitulate so very soon?' Congress MP and party communications chief Jairam Ramesh wrote on X. Lok Sabha deputy leader of the opposition Gaurav Gogoi also pressed for answers, asking what 'concessions' the prime minister may have secured from Pakistan before 'abruptly' ending the operation. 'The question remains: what concessions did Prime Minister Modi extract from the Pakistani leadership before abruptly ending Operation Sindoor on the evening of May 10?' Gogoi posted. Seizing upon Donald Trump's repeated claim that he brokered the ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, the Congress-led opposition has been accusing the prime minister of 'surrendering' to the US president. The government has strongly rejected Trump's assertion, saying it was Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations who contacted his Indian counterpart to request a ceasefire—accepted by India as it had achieved all its military objectives. Launched on the night of May 7 in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor targeted terror infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, triggering cross-border skirmishes in the days that followed.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Good decision': Air chief backs govt's move to pause Operation Sindoor
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday backed the Indian government's move to pause Operation Sindoor stating that the decision reflects wisdom and restraint after achieving key military objectives. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addresses the 16th edition of the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture, in Bengaluru.(PTI) "People got down to their egos in the war. Once we achieved our objective, we should have looked for all windows of opportunity to stop. Some people very close to me said, 'Aur maarna tha'. But can we continue to be at war? The nation has taken a good decision," Air Chief Singh said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
‘We dreamed of the day we'd reach Sargodha': IAF Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on striking Pak's air base
Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh on Saturday confirmed that the IAF shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one large airborne surveillance aircraft during Operation Sindoor . Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, he described it as the largest recorded surface-to-air kill on record. Speaking in Bengaluru, Chief of the Air Staff , Air Chief Marshal AP Singh recalled a moment long imagined by many in uniform. 'Sargodha, we've grown up in our Air Force, dreaming about days like this, someday we'll get a chance to go there. So it just so happens that I got my chance just before I retired… So we took on the airfield there…' Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program This was Operation Sindoor, India's cross-border mission that Singh has now detailed for the first time. Confirmed kills and record strike Singh said the IAF brought down five Pakistani fighter aircraft and one large airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) or electronic intelligence (ELINT) plane. 'We have five confirmed kills and one large aircraft, which could be either an ELINT aircraft or an AEW&C aircraft, which was taken on at a distance of about 300 kilometres. This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about,' he told the audience at the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture. Live Events The strikes targeted critical military infrastructure . At Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield, an F-16 hangar was half destroyed and aircraft inside were damaged. Two command and control centres — Murid and Chaklala — were hit, along with at least six radar sites. Singh said there were indications an AEW&C aircraft and several F-16s under maintenance were present in one of the damaged hangars. Terror hubs and precision targeting Operation Sindoor also struck the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed at Bahawalpur. Singh displayed satellite imagery showing the aftermath. 'There's hardly any collateral here… The adjacent buildings are fairly intact… Not only did we have satellite pictures, but also from local media, through which we could get inside pictures.' Long-range precision weapons were used, and Singh emphasised the priority given to avoiding civilian harm. Technology that shifted the balance Praising India's air defence, Singh singled out the S-400 missile system . 'Our air defence systems have done a wonderful job. The S-400 system, which we had recently bought, has been a game-changer. The range of that system has really kept their aircraft away from their weapons like, those long-range glide bombs that they have, they have not been able to use any one of those because they have not been able to penetrate the system.' Political will and operational freedom Singh credited political leadership for enabling the operation. 'A key reason for success was the presence of political will. There were very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us… If there were any constraints, they were self-made… We decided how much to escalate… We had full freedom to plan and execute. Our attacks were calibrated because we wanted to be mature about it… There was a synchronisation between the three forces… The post of CDS made a real difference. He was there to get us together… NSA also played a big role in getting all the agencies…' A short, decisive war 'It was a high-tech war. In 80 to 90 hours of war, we were able to achieve so much damage that it was clear to them that if they continue, they are going to pay for it more and more. So they came forward and sent a message to our DGMO that they wanted to talk. This was accepted on our side…' Singh said. Learning from Balakot Reflecting on the 2019 Balakot airstrikes , Singh said that while intelligence confirmed heavy militant losses, the IAF had struggled to convince the public due to the lack of imagery. 'In Balakot, we could not get anything from inside, and it became a big issue trying to tell our own people… So I'm very happy that this time we were able to take care of that ghost of Balakot that we were able to tell the world what we have achieved.' "People got down to their egos in this war... Once we achieved our objective, we should have looked for all windows of opportunity to stop... Some people very close to me said, 'Aur maarna tha'. But can we continue to be at war?... The nation has taken a good decision," says Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, backing the decision to pause Operation Sindoor. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
