Key Points
- Pakistani forces killed fighter pilots, S-400 operators
- Over 250 Indian troops killed along Line of Control
- Modi government initially hid casualties to avoid backlash
- Families told not to share soldiers’ photos online
- US-brokered ceasefire followed Pakistani strikes on Indian bases
- Analysts call India’s silence unprofessional and disrespectful
ISLAMABAD: Under mounting internal pressure, the Indian government has finally acknowledged what it calls a “massive loss” of military personnel during Operation Sindoor, according to a report by Dunya News.
New Delhi has now decided to posthumously honour 100 troops, including four fighter pilots and five operators of a Russian-made air defence system, who were killed by Pakistani armed forces.
The military operation was launched by India on May 7, allegedly in retaliation for the killing of tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). However, Dunya News — a private news channel of Pakistan —reports that India blamed Pakistan without presenting credible evidence. During the four-day conflict, Pakistan’s military — including the air force and navy — inflicted significant damage on Indian forces.
Initially, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to downplay and conceal the extent of the losses, fearing political and public backlash. Citing Indian security sources, Dunya News reported that the government deliberately withheld information to avoid humiliation. But sustained internal criticism eventually compelled New Delhi to acknowledge the casualties and formally recognise the deceased personnel.
According to the report, over 250 Indian soldiers were killed along the Line of Control (LoC). This figure includes seven Indian Air Force personnel, five soldiers from the 10th Infantry Brigade stationed at G-Top, and nine from the Headquarters of the 93rd Infantry Brigade. All are now being recognised posthumously.
The list of honourees also includes four Indian Air Force pilots — three of whom flew Rafale jets — five S-400 air defence operators killed at Adampur Airbase, nine personnel from Udhampur Airbase and its defence unit, two soldiers stationed at Rajouri Aviation Base, and four others including the commanding officer of the Uri Supply Depot.
Citing international media reports, Dunya News adds that the conflict ended with a US-brokered ceasefire, mediated by President Donald Trump, after effective Pakistani strikes targeted key Indian military sites, including Pathankot and Udhampur. Multiple Indian generals and diplomats have since admitted to the losses, which included damaged bases and destroyed fighter jets.
Security sources quoted by Dunya News further claim that Indian authorities urged families of the fallen soldiers not to share photographs of the deceased online in an effort to contain public reaction and preserve the government’s narrative.
The report also highlights an ironic contrast: in 2019, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was publicly celebrated with five medals, including the Vir Chakra, despite his aircraft being downed by the Pakistan Air Force.
According to defence analysts cited by Dunya News, while most professional armies honour their martyrs openly, the Indian government’s initial silence and refusal to acknowledge its casualties has been seen as both unprofessional and disrespectful to its own troops.
