The Crossbill News Desk
Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal A.P. Singh has firmly denied claims that political constraints led to the loss of fighter jets during the initial phase of Operation Sindoor, pushing back against remarks made earlier by India’s Defence Attaché to Indonesia.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the 16th Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru on Saturday (August 9), Singh asserted that the armed forces had “full freedom” to plan and execute the operation without restrictions from the political leadership.
“There was political will… very clear political will, very clear directions. There were no restrictions put on us,” Singh said, adding that any constraints during the conflict were “self-made” decisions by the forces to control escalation.
His comments appeared aimed at addressing the controversy sparked in June when Captain Shiv Kumar, the Defence Attaché in Jakarta, claimed that political directions not to target Pakistani military establishments or air defences had contributed to Indian air losses.
While Singh did not address Indian aircraft losses, he claimed the IAF had confirmed downing at least five Pakistani fighter jets and a large airborne platform—possibly an ELINT or AEW&C aircraft—destroyed from 300 km away, which he described as “the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill we can talk about.”
The Press Information Bureau’s release on his address, however, made no mention of Pakistani losses.
Referring to the sudden termination of Operation Sindoor, which drew political debate and questions in Parliament, Singh defended the decision as a strategic choice.
“Conflict termination is a very important part of war. Our objective was clear: to teach terrorists a lesson so they know the price they will pay. Once we achieved that, it was right to stop,” he said, adding that while some colleagues wanted to continue the strikes, ending the operation was “a very good decision” taken at the highest levels.
Singh outlined how Operation Sindoor was built on calibrated strikes against terrorist hubs, escalating only after Pakistan targeted Indian military installations.
He praised the role of the Chief of Defence Staff and National Security Advisor in ensuring synchronised operations between the Army, Navy and Air Force, noting that the newly acquired S-400 air defence system proved a “gamechanger” in countering Pakistani weaponised drones and UAVs.
Indian bases in Adampur, Avantipur and Srinagar bore the brunt of Pakistani attacks, Singh said, but sustained no significant damage.
“We neutralised most threats. None of their aircraft could even come near us,” he said, describing the operation as “80-90 hours of a hi-tech war” that showcased India’s growing air combat and air defence capabilities.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the 16th Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru on Saturday (August 9), Singh asserted that the armed forces had “full freedom” to plan and execute the operation without restrictions from the political leadership.
“There was political will… very clear political will, very clear directions. There were no restrictions put on us,” Singh said, adding that any constraints during the conflict were “self-made” decisions by the forces to control escalation.
His comments appeared aimed at addressing the controversy sparked in June when Captain Shiv Kumar, the Defence Attaché in Jakarta, claimed that political directions not to target Pakistani military establishments or air defences had contributed to Indian air losses.
While Singh did not address Indian aircraft losses, he claimed the IAF had confirmed downing at least five Pakistani fighter jets and a large airborne platform—possibly an ELINT or AEW&C aircraft—destroyed from 300 km away, which he described as “the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill we can talk about.”
The Press Information Bureau’s release on his address, however, made no mention of Pakistani losses.
Referring to the sudden termination of Operation Sindoor, which drew political debate and questions in Parliament, Singh defended the decision as a strategic choice.
“Conflict termination is a very important part of war. Our objective was clear: to teach terrorists a lesson so they know the price they will pay. Once we achieved that, it was right to stop,” he said, adding that while some colleagues wanted to continue the strikes, ending the operation was “a very good decision” taken at the highest levels.
Singh outlined how Operation Sindoor was built on calibrated strikes against terrorist hubs, escalating only after Pakistan targeted Indian military installations.
He praised the role of the Chief of Defence Staff and National Security Advisor in ensuring synchronised operations between the Army, Navy and Air Force, noting that the newly acquired S-400 air defence system proved a “gamechanger” in countering Pakistani weaponised drones and UAVs.
Indian bases in Adampur, Avantipur and Srinagar bore the brunt of Pakistani attacks, Singh said, but sustained no significant damage.
“We neutralised most threats. None of their aircraft could even come near us,” he said, describing the operation as “80-90 hours of a hi-tech war” that showcased India’s growing air combat and air defence capabilities.
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