Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan after a series of intense aerial clashes, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has admitted to suffering losses during combat operations, potentially including Rafale jets, though without revealing exact details.
In a joint press briefing on Operation Sindoor, senior Indian defence officials avoided confirming the number or types of aircraft lost. Air Marshal AK Bharti stated, “In combat, losses are inevitable,” stressing the importance of evaluating mission success over individual losses.
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When questioned about the scale of damage from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) encounter, Bharti declined to provide specifics, citing strategic concerns: “Revealing that would offer the enemy an advantage.”
The Indian Defence Ministry has yet to issue a detailed statement, but Bharti’s remarks have widely been seen as a tacit acknowledgment of significant setbacks, possibly including the loss of Rafale jets.
