Defence Secretary RK Singh on Monday firmly dismissed Pakistan’s claims that it had shot down Indian Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, calling the reports “absolutely not correct” and inconsistent with the facts on the ground. Singh clarified, “You have used the term Rafales in the plural — I can assure you that is absolutely not correct.” He added that Pakistan suffered far greater losses in terms of both manpower and equipment, including the elimination of over 100 terrorists.
Launched on May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor was India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The operation involved precision strikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Rafale jets from the Indian Air Force were reportedly deployed with advanced SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, targeting only terrorist infrastructure. Indian officials have reiterated that the strikes were carefully executed to avoid Pakistani military or civilian sites.
Despite Pakistani assertions of downed Indian aircraft and civilian casualties, there has been no independent verification or official confirmation of any Indian Rafale losses. Singh declined to disclose exact details of India’s losses but emphasized that they were minimal in comparison.
Controversy surrounding the Rafale claims intensified after remarks from an Indian defense official in Indonesia hinted at political constraints on military operations. Singh, however, dismissed those suggestions, asserting that the Indian Armed Forces operated without political interference during the mission.
His comments are consistent with statements from Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of Rafale jets, which also rejected claims of any aircraft being shot down. A ceasefire was declared on May 10, bringing an end to the brief but intense hostilities between India and Pakistan.