Latest news with #Rafale
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Military chief admits IAF jet loss in Op Sindoor, says tactics 'rectified' to strike deep inside Pakistan
NEW DELHI: The loss of an Indian Air Force fighter (IAF) jet during Operation Sindoor has been acknowledged by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, India's most senior military officer. The CDS declined to specify the losses in terms of numbers but clearly pointed to the fact that the Indian military carried out high-precision strikes deep inside Pakistani territory that, New Delhi said, forced Islamabad to plead to stop the hostilities. When asked whether Pakistan had downed an Indian jet or more during the course of Operation Sindoor, Gen. Chauhan told Bloomberg TV on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, 'What is important is that, not the jet being down, but why they were being down, what mistakes were made, that are important.' Gen. Chauhan added, 'The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range.' While he stated, 'Numbers are not important,' the CDS outrightly denied Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's claims that the Pakistan Air Force had shot down six Indian fighter jets, including four Rafale fighters, during the brief India-Pakistan clash. The CDS's remarks mark the Indian military's first clear acknowledgment of losses during the four-day clashes with the neighbouring country. However, on May 11, DG of Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti, responding to the same question, stated that 'losses are a part of combat,' while emphasising that all IAF pilots returned home safely. Operation Sindoor was a joint mission conducted by the IAF and the Indian Army to wipe out terrorist infrastructures inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Govt of India
New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday accused the government of India of not being 'upfront' about the incidents that occurred during the recently concluded conflict with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor and asserted that the centre needs to 'stop denying' this fact. He cited the statement made by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, where he seemed to have acknowledged the losses suffered initially during the conflict between the two neighbouring nations, stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) carried out negative campaigns when Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi raised the same issue. 'General Chauhan gave a statement: why they (jets) were down, what mistakes were made - are really important. That is what Rahul Gandhi said in the first instance, against which lots of negative campaigns were done by the BJP. Today, the whole country must realise that for some reason the government of India were not upfront with whatever happened,' Reddy said in a press conference here. He said that it appears that Rafale aircraft were shot down in the four-day operations. 'As it appears very clearly, Rafale aircraft were shot down in the four-day operations. When Rahul Gandhi first pointed it out as a question to the External Affairs Minister, it was very bizarre that the ruling party accused him of not being patriotic. Now, an hour ago, CDS General Anil Chauhan confirmed that Rafale aircraft were brought down,' Reddy added. The Telangana Minister further quoted Director General Air Operations (DGAO) Air Marshal AK Bharti 'indirectly' told the media earlier that losses were normal in combat. Reddy said that the government of India must stop denying this fact since the CDS has already mentioned the losses faced by the Indian armed forces. 'I must quote what DGAO Air Marshal Bharti indirectly said in the briefing earlier. He said, 'Losses are normal in combat. The objective of the whole Operation (Sindoor) has been achieved, and all pilots are home'. The fact that the fighter aircraft were down is something that the Government of India needs to stop denying now that the CDS himself has mentioned it,' he added. Reddy pointed towards another issue and said that the central government needs to explain the announcement for a 'ceasefire' made by US President Donald Trump even before the DGMOs of India and Pakistan held a conversation. 'The government has never explained why US President Trump announced the ceasefire before either of the DGMOs of both countries spoke,' he said. (ANI)
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
India has intensified ‘terrorism campaign' inside Pakistan through proxies, says PM Shehbaz
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said India had intensified 'terrorism campaign' in Pakistan through its proxies after having suffered a 'humiliating defeat' in recent conflict with Pakistan, according a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The premier's statement came as he visited Command & Staff College Quetta and addressed the faculty and graduating officers. Pakistan will not allow India to cross Indus Waters Treaty red line: PM Shehbaz 'India after having suffered a humiliating defeat during Ma'rka-e-Haq has now intensified its campaign of terrorism inside Pakistan through its proxies,' PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying in the ISPR statement. The prime minister resolved that all such 'nefarious and ill designs of India and its proxy Fitna al Hindustan' would be defeated by Pakistan. He commended the performance of the Pakistan Armed Forces during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos against India. 'The prime minister praised the bravery, professionalism, and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, saying that their exemplary conduct has earned the nation's highest accolades,' ISPR said. He highlighted the importance of the armed forces in safeguarding the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security, while reaffirming the government's commitment to supporting the armed forces in their mission to protect the nation. Earlier on arrival at Command & Staff College, PM Shehbaz was received by the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M). Pakistan shot down six Indian jets, not five: PM Shehbaz The heaviest fighting in decades between Pakistan and India was sparked by an April 22 attack in the Indian Illegally Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on 'terrorists' backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. On May 7, Indian jets bombed what New Delhi claimed 'terrorist infrastructure' sites across the border. Pakistan has said it downed six Indian planes, including at least three Rafale fighters, in the initial clashes. The ceasefire was announced on May 10 after bitter fighting in which both sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Former Air Force Pilot and Minister Uttam Reddy seeks transparency on reports of Rafale downed in Operation Sindoor
Hyderabad Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, also a retired Indian Air Force pilot, demanded full transparency from the Government of India regarding the losses suffered during the recent Operation Sindoor, particularly the reported downing of Rafale fighter jets. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, he pressed the BJP-led Government at the Centre to act urgently on the concerns raised by the Air Force chief about delays in aircraft supply, talent shortages, and the gap between sanctioned and operational squadrons. He referred to recent statements made by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh saying that these 'should concern us all.' He cited the warnings about severe delays in supply of fighter aircraft and weaponry, which, he said, were 'a serious problem for the Air Force.' He also cited the briefings of Air Marshal Bharti, Director General Air Operations, that the pilots returned safely while not denying claims of aircraft downed. Mr. Reddy also criticised the BJP government for initially denying these losses and launching a campaign against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. 'Now that the CDS himself has spoken, the government should stop the denials,' he said. 'We are proud of our armed forces, but transparency strengthens trust and helps us learn from every operation.' Mr. Reddy, a graduate from the National Defence Academy who flew MiG-21s and MiG-23s, reminded that during his tenure on the Parliamentary Defence Committee, he and his colleagues had repeatedly flagged India's operational fighter squadrons. He said they were below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, each with 16 to 18 aircraft. 'India currently has only 31 squadrons, which is substantially lower than required, especially when we face a collusive threat from both China and Pakistan.' Quoting the Air Chief Marshal, Mr. Reddy said, 'India has fallen behind China in defence technology and production, even as our training standards remain superior.' He stressed that this should be of 'serious concern,' and urged the government to take necessary corrective steps. Mr. Reddy pointed out that the Air Force currently needs 35 to 40 fighter jets annually, but HAL, which is contracted to supply 24 fighter aircraft per year, has failed to deliver that. 'The Air Chief has also flagged a deeper malaise, contracts signed with unrealistic deadlines that vitiate the procurement process and erode institutional trust,' he said.
Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Reveal truth to country: Congress to govt after CDS' remarks on losses in Operation Sindoor
The Congress asked the government on Saturday to truthfully tell the country what losses were suffered during the four-day conflict with Pakistan after Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan acknowledged aircraft loss in the hostilities. Gen Chouhan, however, dismissed as 'absolutely incorrect' Islamabad's claim of downing six Indian jets. Latching on to the comment by the chief of defence staff (CDS), Congress leader Uttam Kumar Reddy said the country wanted to know whether any aircraft were downed during the conflict, especially in the wake of the CDS' 'admission'. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that on July 29, 1999, the Vajpayee government set up the Kargil Review Committee under the chairmanship of 'India's strategic affairs guru K Subrahmanyam, whose son is now our external affairs minister'. This was just three days after the Kargil war ended, he said. 'The committee submitted its detailed report five months later. The report titled 'From Surprise to Reckoning' was then laid on the Table of both Houses of Parliament on February 23, 2000, after the necessary redactions. 'Will the Modi government now take a similar step in light of what the Chief of Defence Staff has just revealed in Singapore?' Ramesh posed in a post on X. Soon after CDS Gen Chouhan's remarks, made during an interview with Bloomberg TV, got published, Reddy took the opportunity to say, 'It appears very clearly a Rafale fighter aircraft was downed in the four-day operations.' 'Today, an hour ago, CDS Gen Chauhan has confirmed that a Rafale aircraft was brought down in the four-day operation. The fact that the fighter aircraft were down is something that the Government of India needs to stop denying. The CDS himself mentioned that.' At a press conference, the Congress leader said, 'Earlier, Air Marshal (Awadesh Kumar) Bharti had mentioned it indirectly in his briefing along with the DGMO. He specifically said that 'losses are normal in combat; the mission objective of the operation has been achieved, and all pilots have come home'.' He said when Rahul Gandhi first pointed it out in a question to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, it was 'very bizarre and strange' that the ruling party functionaries at all levels accused him of not being patriotic. 'We are happy that the objectives (of Operation Sindoor) have been achieved, but the fact that the fighter aircraft were down is something that needs to be… the Government of India should stop denying that. The CDS himself has mentioned it and Air Marshall Bharti had also done so,' Reddy said. The Telangana minister reiterated that the Congress supports the Indian armed forces in every endeavour. 'The party congratulates them as they have done a great job and we are proud of them, we salute them,' he said. 'Today the whole country must realise that for some reason the Government of India were not upfront with whatever happened. The other thing that needs reassessment by the government is that most of the firing in the four-day operation was done by respective countries from within their borders; still, we lost our aircraft. 'I think, this needs serious reassessment of technology so that lessons are learnt and we go forward and improve in those aspects,' Reddy, a former IAF pilot, said. He refuted allegations that his party was playing politics over the issue and said that after every war or conflict, all nation discloses what losses they inflicted on the enemy and what losses they suffered. 'We are not playing politics. We are proud of our armed forces's decisive victory over Pakistan. We want to know the truth about the reverses for lessons for future conflicts.' 'The moot point is every time we have raised this, they have said we are anti-patriotic, anti-national. Are they going to accuse Gen Chauhan of this now,' he posed. Reddy claimed the government was trying to, somehow, not come out clearly with what really has happened. 'We feel the government must be more transparent on every significant event that took place throughout the India-Pak operation,' he said, adding the way forward must be clear and transparent. 'We are very proud of our armed forces and we have seen the satellite pictures. Please tell us how many Pakistan Air Force aircraft you have downed and Indian aircraft that were down. 'A government has to be transparent. Accountability is normal in a democracy. This is not about patriotism. We are more patriotic. Our first family, the Gandhi family, have suffered and have made huge sacrifices for the integrity of the country and these people question us. This is really shocking,' the Congress leader said. Gen Chauhan, in the interview, asserted it is more important to find out why the aircraft were lost so that the Indian military could improve tactics and hit back again. 'I think what is important is not the jet being downed but why they were being downed,' he said. The CDS was asked whether India lost combat jets during the four-day military clashes with Pakistan earlier this month. 'The good part is that we were able to understand the tactical mistakes which we made; remedied, rectified and then implemented it again after two days. We flew all our jets again targeting at long range,' he said. 'Absolutely incorrect,' Gen Chauhan said when asked about Pakistan's claim of shooting down six Indian jets during Operation Sindoor. Previously, Indian Air Force's Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshall AK Bharti, acknowledged that 'losses are a part of combat' and said all IAF pilots returned home safely. Air Marshall Bharti made the remarks at a media briefing on May 11 when asked about Indi'a aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor. Gen Chauhan is in Singapore to participate in the Shangri-La Dialogue. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused the government of misleading the nation on the India-Pakistan conflict and demanded holding a special session of Parliament immediately, following Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan's acknowledgement of aircraft loss in the hostilities. In a post on X, Kharge said his party demands a comprehensive review of India's defence preparedness by an independent expert committee, on the lines of the survey done by the Kargil Review Committee. 'In the wake of the remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in Singapore in an interview, there are some very important questions that need to be asked. These can only be done if a special session of the Parliament is immediately convened,' he said. 'The Modi Government has misled the nation. The fog of war is now clearing.' The Congress chief said the IAF pilots risked their lives fighting the enemy, and 'suffered some losses but our pilots were safe'. The Congress president said his party salutes their resolute courage and bravery. However, a comprehensive strategic review is the need of the hour, he asserted. 'The Congress party demands a Comprehensive Review of our Defence Preparedness by an independent expert committee, on the lines of the Kargil Review Committee,' he said. Citing Donald Trump's statements, Kharge said the US president has again repeated his claim about 'brokering a ceasefire'. 'This is a direct affront to the Shimla Agreement. Instead of clarifying Mr Trump's repeated assertions, and the affidavit filed by the US Secretary of Commerce in the United States Court of International Trade, PM Modi is on an election blitz, taking personal credit for the valour of our Armed Forces, hiding behind their bravery and dodging the contours of the agreed ceasefire, which the Foreign Secretary announced on May 10, after Trump's tweet,' Kharge noted in his post. 'Is India and Pakistan now again hyphenated? What are the conditions of the ceasefire agreement? The 140 crore patriotic Indians deserve to know this,' the Congress chief asserted. In a separate post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also asked, 'It is an extraordinary and telling commentary on Emergency@11 that the PM will not chair all-party meetings and will not take Parliament into confidence but the nation gets to know of the first phase of Operation Sindoor through the CDS's interview in Singapore.' 'Couldn't opposition leaders have been taken into confidence by the PM earlier?' he asked.
