Operation Sindoor has been confirmed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh revealed on Saturday that during the operation, the IAF shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one large aircraft. This statement marks the first official confirmation from India regarding the extent of damage inflicted on the Pakistani side during the military offensive in May.

The operation, launched on May 7th in response to the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, saw the Indian armed forces targeting terror infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

According to Air Chief Marshal Singh, the "large aircraft" that was downed was likely an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) or an electronic intelligence platform (ELINT). This particular aircraft was engaged at a distance of approximately 300 kilometers, which is the "largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill". The destruction of the AEW&C severely impacted Pakistan's air capabilities during the operation.

In addition to the aerial kills, the IAF also conducted strikes on Pakistani airbases, inflicting damage on the ground. Sukkur and Sargodha airfields were targeted, resulting in the destruction of a UAB hangar and a radar site. The Jacobabad airbase also suffered damage, with an F-16 hangar partially destroyed, potentially damaging aircraft inside. Furthermore, two command and control centers, Murid and Chaklala, along with at least six radar systems, were successfully targeted.

Air Chief Marshal Singh credited the S-400 air defense system, recently procured from Russia, as a "game-changer" in the operation. He stated that the S-400's range effectively deterred Pakistani aircraft from deploying long-range glide bombs and penetrating Indian airspace. He also mentioned that a large number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, and some of their missiles fell into Indian territory and have been recovered. These are being studied to determine their origin, systems, and capabilities.

Unlike the 2019 Balakot strike, Operation Sindoor was supported by video and imagery evidence released to the public. According to AP Singh, this helped to dispel doubts and demonstrate the achievements and losses inflicted on the adversary.

The success of Operation Sindoor was also attributed to the "clear political will" of the central government, which granted the armed forces full freedom to plan and execute the operation without restrictions. According to the Air Chief Marshal, self-imposed rules of engagement were used to manage escalation. The intensity of the conflict, lasting approximately 80 to 90 hours, ultimately compelled Pakistan to seek talks. The operation's name, "Sindoor," was chosen to symbolize the grief of those who lost loved ones in the Pahalgam attack and India's determination to draw a firm line against cross-border terrorism.