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Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Asiatic lion, India-US trade talks and Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 10, 2025. If you missed the August 9, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Security challenges and their management in border areas– linkages of organized crime with terrorism., Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. What's the ongoing story: Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Saturday said the Indian Air Force (IAF) took down 'at least' five Pakistani fighter jets and 'one large aircraft' during Operation Sindoor in May. Key Points to Ponder: • Read about Operation Sindoor. • What is the strategic significance of Operation Sindoor 2025 in the context of India's counter-terrorism policy and regional security dynamics? • What is the S-400 surface-to-air missile system? • What is the significance of the S-400 Triumf system for India? • Learn about the Akash missile and MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile). • What is a precision weapon? • How India used precision weapons under Operation Sindoor? • What is the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)? • What are the defence challenges faced by India on its borders? Key Takeaways: • In the three months since the operation, while India has talked about the losses suffered by Pakistan, this is the first time that a senior officer has specified the number of Pakistani aircraft and jets downed. • 'We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft, which could be an ELINT aircraft or an AEW&C aircraft, which was taken out from a distance of about 300 kilometres, which is the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about,' the IAF Chief said during a keynote address at the 16th Air Chief Marshal L M Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru. • Praising Indian air defence systems, he said the S-400 surface-to-air missile system, which was recently bought, 'has been a gamechanger'. The kill range of the S400 system kept their aircraft away from the maximum distance at which they could employ their long range air-to-ground weapons, like those long-range glide bombs that they have, he said, adding that Pakistan was not able to use these as they were not been able to penetrate the system. • The IAF Chief said no Pakistani aircraft could come anywhere near India's defence systems like the Akash missile and MRSAM (medium range surface to air missile). He said all Pakistani aircraft were taken on by India's LRSAM (long range surface to air missile), adding that while they were trying to stay away, they were within Indian range at times. From Govt & Politics Page 'Operation Sindoor's 300-km kill: How the IAF may have set a rare record' • During a lecture in Bengaluru, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh revealed that among the targets destroyed on May 7 was a large Pakistani airborne platform — possibly an ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) or AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft — taken down from a distance of about 300 km. He described it as the 'largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about'. • Long-range kills of this kind are rare. Hitting a target 300 km away demands a long-range interceptor missile (a surface-to-air missile or SAM designed to destroy airborne targets at very long distances, often well beyond visual range), precision tracking that holds steady over long distances and the ability to maintain a firing solution until impact. The IAF acquired this capability only recently, with the induction of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf system. • India has so far received three of its five contracted S-400 units from Russia, deployed along the borders with Pakistan and China. The remaining two are due by 2025–26. • Other systems — including the Barak 8 Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) and the indigenous Akash missile — also played a role in Operation Sindoor. Earlier this month, the Defence Acquisition Council approved a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for the S-400. • India had signed the S-400 deal with Russia, a year after the United States passed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). CAATSA is a US law that allows Washington to impose sanctions on countries that make significant defence purchases from Russia, Iran, or North Korea. Do You Know: • India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, hitting nine terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India's retaliatory attack is ostensibly considered a reference to only men being singled out based on their faith before being killed in Pahalgam. This marked the most expansive and widespread retaliation by India in recent years, since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019 and the surgical strikes following the Uri attack in 2016. The attacks were made at nine locations, which were terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. • S400 Triumf: The S-400 is considered one of the most advanced and potent air defence systems in the world. It was developed by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau. It can protect against almost all sorts of aerial attacks, including drones, missiles, rockets, and even fighter jets. The system, intended to act as a shield over a particular area, is a long-range surface-to-air missile system. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget | What should you know about the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 for the UPSC Exam UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (1) Consider the following: 1. Kamov helicopters 2. C-17 Globemaster 3. Su-30MKI fighters 4. MH-60R Seahawks 5. T-90 tanks Which of the defence equipment given above is part of the India-Russia agreement? (a) 1, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions. (UPSC CSE 2016) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: This World Lion Day (August 10), the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam is optimistic about its number of Asiatic lions, currently two, going up in the near future. Zoo officials say its Asiatic lion pair — 12-year-old male Patwad and 4.5-year-old female Kumari, also known as Maheswari — are ready to breed and bring cubs into the world. Key Points to Ponder: • Read about the Asiatic lions. • How are Asiatic lions different from other lions? • What is the ecological significance of the Asiatic lion? • What is the conservation status of the Asiatic lions? • What are the challenges in the conservation of Asiatic lions in India? (Thought Process: Link it with habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict) • What are the government initiatives for protecting the Asiatic lion? • Read about the 16th Asiatic Lion Census 2025. • What is Project Lion? • Location: Gir National Park Key Takeaways: • Zoo curator G Mangamma says the lion and lioness, brought to IGZP in 2019 and 2023, respectively have adapted well to each other. Lions typically reach their reproductive maturity between three and four years of age. • Asiatic lions are a vulnerable species. Unlike their African counterparts, Asiatic lions are slightly smaller in size, with a less prominent mane in males and a distinctive fold of skin along their belly. • They are mostly confined to Gir forest in Gujarat, with a few living under specialised conservation breeding programmes in zoological parks like the one in Visakhapatnam. • The Vizag zoo has an adoption programme for animals. The zoo encourages wildlife enthusiasts to adopt animals of their choice. Do You Know: • As per the latest official figures of the 16th Lion Census, the total population of Asiatic Lions, primarily found in the Gir Forests of Gujarat — the last abode of the species in the world — has been estimated at 891. According to Gujarat government records, the first lion census was conducted by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1936. • In 1965, the Gir forest was declared a sanctuary, and since then, the Gujarat Forest Department has been regularly conducting lion censuses every five years. • The lions have colonised at least three new areas — Barda wildlife sanctuary, Jetpur and Babra-Jasdan — in the last five years. • Listed in Schedule I and IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, in Appendix I of CITES. • The most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions and rarely in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly. • Project Lion was announced in August 2020 to secure the future of Asiatic lions through comprehensive, long-term conservation efforts. August 10 is observed as World Lion Day annually to raise awareness of the rapidly diminishing lion population and the critical need for their conservation. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍2025 Lion census shows 32% population rise: Why Asiatic lion's future can't be secured by numbers alone UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (2) With reference to the Asiatic Lions, consider the following statements: 1. They can hunt prey and protect their area as a group in pride. 2. They are listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 3. They are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (3) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2019) 1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only. 2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only. 3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Salient features of the Representation of People's Act, Powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. What's the ongoing story: The Election Commission on Saturday said it has delisted 344 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for failing to comply with the conditions for registration as political parties under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Key Points to Ponder: • Read about the Election Commission of India, its jurisdictions and its functions. • What are the constitutional provisions related to the elections? • What are Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)? • Read about the Representation of the People Act, 1951. • What are the provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for the registration and continuation of political parties in India? • What is the significance of delisting non-compliant political parties for ensuring electoral transparency? • How does the Election Commission of India manage the election process? • What are the challenges for the Election Commission of India in conducting elections, and how should it deal with them? Key Takeaways: • As per the Act, parties have to give details, including names, addresses and details of office-bearers, during the registration and have to inform the Election Commission if there are changes in the details. The parties will also be delisted if they don't contest any elections for six years. • In an order passed on Saturday, the EC said these 334 parties were 'found to be non-existent at their registered address after a physical verification' and had also not contested any elections since 2019. • In June, the EC had asked the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) of states and Union Territories to verify if 345 RUPPs were meeting these conditions. 'CEOs conducted enquiries, issued show-cause notices to these RUPPs and provided each party an opportunity to respond… 334 RUPPs… have been found not complying with the above conditions…,' an EC statement said. Do You Know: • The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a permanent, independent, and constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the Union and the States of India. • The ECI is empowered to supervise, oversee, and manage elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice President of India. Since the ECI does not oversee elections to state-level urban bodies like municipalities and panchayats, there is a separate State Election Commission. • The Constitution has the following articles (Articles 324–329) to empower the Election Commission and provide insight into the potential roles and functions of the commission. • Article 324: The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and the Legislature of every state and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President. • Article 325: No individual to be excluded from electoral rolls on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them. • Article 326: Adult suffrage shall be the basis for elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States. • Article 327: Parliament may, according to the provisions of this Constitution, from time to time enact laws with respect to all matters relating to elections to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of States. • Article 328: A state's Legislature may from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, the elections to the House or either House of the Legislature. • Article 329: The article prohibits the courts from becoming involved in electoral matters. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Election Commission of India: Composition, powers and functions Previous year UPSC Prelims/Mains Question Covering similar theme: (4) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests. What's the ongoing story: Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a US-brokered peace agreement on Friday during a meeting with US President Donald Trump that would boost bilateral economic ties after decades of conflict and move them toward a full normalization of their relations. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the history of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? • Read about the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. • What is the Nagorno-Karabakh region? • What is the status of India's relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan? • What is India's stand on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? • Map Work-Nagorno-Karabakh Key Takeaways: • President Donald Trump was in the middle as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan flanked him on either side. As the two extended their arms in front of Trump to shake hands, the U.S. leader reached up and clasped his hands around theirs. • The two countries in the South Caucasus signed agreements with each other and the U.S. that will reopen key transportation routes while allowing the U.S. to seize on Russia's declining influence in the region. The deal includes an agreement that will create a major transit corridor to be named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, the White House said. • Trump said at the White House on Friday that naming the route after him was 'a great honor for me' but 'I didn't ask for this.' A senior administration official, on a call before the event with reporters, said it was the Armenians who suggested the name. • That route will connect Azerbaijan and its autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, which are separated by a 32-kilometer-wide (20-mile-wide) patch of Armenian territory. The demand from Azerbaijan had held up peace talks in the past. • For Azerbaijan, a major producer of oil and gas, the route also provides a more direct link to Turkey and onward to Europe. Do You Know: • Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at odds since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh – a mountainous Azerbaijani region that had a mostly ethnic Armenian population – broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. • Both Armenia and Azerbaijan won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Azerbaijan took back full control of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 in a military offensive, prompting almost all of the territory's remaining 100,000 Armenians to flee to Armenia. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: History, India's response Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) Consider the following pairs: Regions often mentioned in news Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh Insurgency in Mozambique 3. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Dispute between Israel and Lebanon How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?(UPSC CSE 2023) (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Effects of liberalisation on the economy. What's the ongoing story: India's last-minute decision in November 2019 to withdraw from joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a mega-regional pact and the most expansive regional trade agreement that India had ever negotiated, was triggered by a belated rethink in New Delhi policy circles. Key Points to Ponder: • US tariffs on India—know the key highlights • What is Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)? • Why did India opt out of RCEP? • What are the economic implications of India opting out of RCEP? • Read about the recent US tariff imposition on India. • How drawing a 'red line' over farmers reflects India's priorities in negotiating trade pressures? • What are the long term and short term implications of U.S. penalties on Indian exports for India's domestic agricultural policy? • What is the importance of agriculture and dairy in India's broader trade negotiation framework? • Compare India's stance on agriculture in this scenario with its broader trade negotiation strategies with other partners. • Evaluate India's decision to stay out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Key Takeaways: • The build-up to RCEP, and the last minute jettisoning of the deal by New Delhi, seems to be coming full circle. As the India-US trade talks head into a wall with the 50 per cent tariff looming in the horizon, the dairy and agri sectors, and the issue of GM crops, are proving to be red lines that New Delhi is clear it will not breach, given the political cost of this decision. • While the negotiations for the deal have been constructive and there was a clear sense by end-June in New Delhi that an agreement was close, events have spiralled into a tailspin since then. 'Diplomatic and non-trade issues' that cropped up have effectively pushed the deal aground, as reported by The Indian Express. • Meanwhile US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up the pressure, primarily because India appears to be staying firm on issues rather than caving in, as a number of other countries have done to bag a headline tariff deal. While that frustration in Washington DC has played a part in the talks heading downhill, diplomatic issues such as India's rebuttal of some claims made by Trump have contributed to the downward spiral in relations. • Now with the 50 per cent tariffs on India's exports to the US a reality, at least as things stand today, the real cost of the tariff impact from India's perspective can be tangibly calculated. The uncertainty so far was proving to be a bigger problem than the tariffs themselves. More than the loss of competitiveness, the high tariffs could dent the positioning of India as a viable China plus-one-alternative, which has already helped New Delhi emerge as a competitive player in high-value assembly such as mobile handsets. • The imposition of higher tariffs on India is part of Trump's negotiating playbook, which has consistently followed a pattern: keep throwing in a big tariff number to unsettle the other side and then gain leverage on the negotiating table. • Clearly, a decision has been taken in New Delhi to weather the tariff impact, while continuing backchannel negotiations. Also, these secondary tariffs, while being imposed under the guise of Russian oil purchases funding the Ukraine war, seem to be less about Russia and more about India. • In terms of impact on India, while the US is the country's largest export destination, nearly a quarter of the Indian exports, including pharmaceuticals and sectors such as electronic goods, have a concessional duty impact while entering America at this point in time. • Given India's hard redlines on agri trade and dairy, New Delhi was prepared to offer something in return. Like Japan did with concessions on rice, even as it walked away with a favourable deal for its auto sector. India has indicated its willingness to offer concessions on high-value purchases that the US is keen to package as part of its tariff-setting exercise and has said it is open to purchasing three big-ticket items from the US: defence equipment, natural gas imports and nuclear reactors. • On specific sectors such as auto, India has communicated its openness to a quota system that progressively opens up market access in that sector over a span of multiple years, like it did in the UK deal signed last week. Do You Know: • US President Donald Trump may have doubled the tariffs on India to 50 per cent, but New Delhi is not alarmed or unduly perturbed; rather the government seems to be prepared to wait it out for the next few weeks or more — deal with his increasing frustration by remaining calm. • Simultaneously, it has taken an unequivocal call that Trump cannot tell India not to trade with Russia or distance itself from BRICS. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: The economic implications of India opting out of RCEP 📍After Trump doubles tariff, India's strategy: Remain quiet, don't give in, wait it out for now Hours after Trump announced the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it was ready to support the 'efforts' as the meeting 'holds the promise' of ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier this week, India was blindsided by the targeting over buying oil from Russia. India has pushed back against the US for its double standards, as Washington has not targeted China and Europe for their purchases of Russian energy. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Sudarshan Chakra that cut Pak power: Tracing S-400's journey as India awaits full strength by 2026
India's S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra' took down five Pakistani fighter jets and a surveillance aircraft during Operation Sindoor. With delays from the Ukraine war pushing timelines, the full system is now set to be operational by 2026. Here's the journey read more Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has revealed that India's S-400 Triumf air defence system, locally dubbed the 'Sudarshan Chakra', shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft during Operation Sindoor, marking the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill for India. Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, Singh said the AEW&C aircraft was targeted at a range of about 300 kilometres, confirming for the first time the scale of Pakistan's aerial losses in the April operation. The system also intercepted multiple drones and missiles during the mission. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From Moscow to the Himalayas First developed in 2007, the Russian-made S-400 was originally deployed for the defence of Moscow, later serving in Syria to protect Russian assets, and in Crimea after its annexation from Ukraine. India signed a $5.43 billion deal in 2018 for five S-400 regiments, with deliveries initially planned to conclude by 2023. However, the Russia–Ukraine conflict and resulting supply chain disruptions pushed back the timeline. The first regiment arrived in December 2021, followed by the second in April 2022 and the third in October 2023. These are now operational along India's western and northern borders, covering both Pakistan and China. Full power in India by 2026 The fourth and fifth regiments are set to arrive from Russia in February and August 2026, respectively. Each S-400 regiment can deploy multiple interceptor missiles capable of destroying aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 400 km. After induction, the system was rechristened as Sudarshan Chakra, a nod to its role in safeguarding India's skies. Defence sources say talks are underway for additional batteries to bolster coverage.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Indian Forces Destroyed 5 Pakistani Fighter Jets, Another Aircraft During Op Sindoor: IAF Chief
In a massive revelation on Operation Sindoor, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Saturday that India's air defence surface-to-air missile systems destroyed five Pakistani fighter jets and an AEW&C/ELINT aircraft, which is a specialised military plane designed for airborne surveillance, early said that some parked F16 jets were destroyed in Jacobabad and an AEW&C in Chief Details Op Sindoor SuccessHis remarks came while speaking at the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre lecture in Bengaluru, in the first such instance when an official spoke in detail about the damage Pakistan sustained in terms of aircraft and further details, the IAF chief said that the buildings were identified before India's May 7 retaliation for the Pahalgam terror noted that the accuracy of the damage caused by the Indian attack was calculated through satellite images. n18oc_indian18oc_breaking-newsNews18 Mobile App -
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Achieving goal in a war, ending it are very important, says Air Force Chief
Singh, who was delivering the 16th Air Chief Marshal L M Katre Memorial Lecture here said he participated in a conference in the UK about two weeks back. The participants discussed Russia, European war, or Israel and Iran war, or Hamas-Israel war. However, not even a word was spoken about India hitting terror targets in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. The Air Force chief said: 'They talked a lot about how to get a war, how to avoid war, but there was not even one talk about how to terminate a war.' Also, he said: 'So I feel this part is being forgotten there. The conflict termination is a very, very important part of any conflict. We can't afford to be continuously at war.' When a war starts, irrespective of who started it, it should be very clear that the war should be terminated so that people can go back to their routine and focus on the progress of the nation. 'When I was young the first thing that was taught to be principles of war was selection and maintenance of aim.' People have shifted their objectives and aims every now and then. People have got down to their egos in this world, and that is what is continuously driving the conflicts going on in the world. He said: 'I think we set a very good example. Our objective was very clear. Our objective was to teach the terrorists a lesson that they will think twice before doing something, now they know what kind of price they can pay. And once we have achieved those objectives, we should look for all windows of opportunity to stop that, rather than just continue. We were actually on a song that night. I heard from so many people, I don't say that, but some people very close to me also said 'Aur Marna Tha'. PTI GMS PYK VGN ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
IAF chief says happy to tackle ‘ghost of Balakot' during Operation Sindoor
'When we did Balakot, we did something similar (to Operation Sindoor),' he said, and added that there were no images available, and it became a big issue. Singh, who was delivering the 16th Air Chief Marshal L M Katre Memorial Lecture here, said the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during Operation Sindoor, in the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill by India. He provided a detailed account of Operation Sindoor with visuals and slides. Bengaluru, Aug 9 (PTI) Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Saturday said the non-availability of images of the damage caused by the Balakot air strike became a 'big issue', and people could not be convinced about what was achieved, but during Operation Sindoor, that 'ghost of Balakot' was taken care of. 'Unfortunately, we couldn't tell our own people as to what we have been able to achieve. We had intelligence that there had been huge damage; there were so many terrorists who were neutralised, but we could not convince our own people. But (this time) we were lucky, and we got these videos out in the open,' he said. 'I am happy that we could take care of that ghost of Balakot,' he asserted. India carried out air strikes in Balakot, targeting a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group. The Indian strikes were in response to a terror attack, carried out in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir by a suicide bomber, resulting in the death of 40 CRPF personnel. PTI GMS PYK VGN ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
