Operation Sindoor, launched by India in early May 2025 in retaliation to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, has reportedly inflicted substantial damage on Pakistan's military capabilities. Emerging reports and analyses suggest that the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully neutralized a significant number of Pakistani assets, including fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles.

According to sources involved in the operation, the IAF's strikes resulted in the downing of six Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets during air combat. Furthermore, a high-value aerial asset, potentially an electronic countermeasures aircraft or an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, was neutralized by a long-range strike. Another AEW&C aircraft, reportedly of Swedish origin, was destroyed in a strike on Bholari airbase using air-to-surface cruise missiles. The loss of these AEW&C platforms is particularly significant, as they are crucial for providing situational awareness and coordinating air operations.

In addition to fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, the IAF also targeted Pakistan's UAV fleet. Reports indicate that over ten UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles) were destroyed by Indian air defense systems. A coordinated attack by Rafale and Su-30 fighter jets targeted a hangar housing Chinese-origin Wing Loong series drones, resulting in their destruction. These drones were a key component of Pakistan's offensive aerial capabilities.

The strikes also targeted a C-130 transport aircraft in Pakistani Punjab, further impacting Pakistan's logistical capabilities. Moreover, the IAF claims to have intercepted a large number of Pakistani air- and ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles aimed at Indian airbases. India Today reports that over 30 missiles were destroyed during the operation.

The extent of the damage inflicted has led to a blame game by the Pakistani government.. According to a dossier released by Pakistan, India struck more places during Operation Sindoor that were not previously disclosed by Indian defence authorities. The dossier contains maps showing Indian strikes at key cities like Peshawar, Attock, Gujrat, Jhang, Bahawalnagar, Hyderabad, Chhor - locations that were not publicly mentioned by the armed forces during their press briefings. The objective might be to paint before the global community that India targeted civilian areas deep inside Pakistan.

Conversely, other reports suggest the damage was worse than initially reported. High-resolution commercial satellite images have shown damage to 11 military sites struck by India, including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Parur, Chunian, Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Bholari, Jacobabad, and Gujranwala.

The Indian Air Force reportedly used air-launched cruise missiles extensively during Operation Sindoor, with no surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles used in the attacks. The conflict reportedly lasted for four days, culminating in Pakistan requesting a ceasefire due to the heavy losses suffered.

While the accuracy of these reports is still being assessed, the details paint a picture of a successful operation by the Indian Air Force in degrading Pakistan's aerial capabilities.