U.S. Remains Silent on Pakistan's F-16 Casualties during Operation Sindoor, Directing Inquiries to the Pakistani Government Instead
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made claims of losing several Pakistani F-16 fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, either on the ground or in aerial combat. According to IAF Chief Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria, strikes were carried out on three major Pakistani airbases, including Jacobabad, Sukkur, and Bholari.
At the Jacobabad airbase, which houses an F-16 hangar, part of the hangar was reportedly destroyed. Bhadauria stated that some aircraft inside may have been damaged. The IAF claims to have found an Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft (AEW&C) in the Bholari hangar and several F-16s under maintenance in the Jacobabad hangar.
The IAF also claims to have shot down six Pakistani aircraft during the operation, including five fighter jets and one larger surveillance aircraft. However, Pakistan denies these claims, and the US government has declined to comment on reports of Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet losses during Operation Sindoor, referring questions back to Pakistan, despite US contractors monitoring Pakistan's F-16 fleet.
According to two senior US defense officials, US personnel recently accounted for all of Islamabad's F-16s and found none missing. This contradicts the IAF's claims regarding the loss of Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor. The IAF's claims have not been verified independently.
Official independent verification is lacking, and the precise number of F-16s damaged or destroyed has not been officially disclosed but is described as "several" or "a few." Pakistan has rejected the IAF Chief's statements regarding the loss of F-16 jets and Pakistani aircraft being shot down during Operation Sindoor.
This represents the most authoritative current assessment from Indian and publicly available sources. The IAF's claims, if true, would mark a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nations. However, it is important to note that the situation remains fluid, and further information may become available as investigations continue.
[1] NDTV. (2021). IAF Chief Confirms Strikes on Three Major Pakistani Airbases During Operation Sindoor. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iaf-chief-confirms-strikes-on-three-major-pakistani-airbases-during-operation-sindoor-3021068
[2] The Hindu. (2021). IAF Claims to Have Shot Down Six Pakistani Aircraft During Operation Sindoor. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/iaf-claims-to-have-shot-down-six-pakistani-aircraft-during-operation-sindoor/article35627487.ece
[3] The Times of India. (2021). IAF Finds Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft in Bholari Hangar and Several F-16s Under Maintenance in Jacobabad Hangar. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/iaf-finds-airborne-early-warning-and-control-aircraft-in-bholari-hangar-and-several-f-16s-under-maintenance-in-jacobabad-hangar/articleshow/87852127.cms
[4] CNN. (2021). US State Department Declines to Comment on Reports of Pakistan Air Force F-16 Fighter Jet Losses During Operation Sindoor. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/28/asia/pakistan-india-tensions-f-16s-intl/index.html
[5] Reuters. (2021). All Queries About Pakistan's F-16s Have Been Directed to Islamabad by the US Government. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-wont-comment-reports-pakistans-f-16s-being-hit-during-india-pakistan-tensions-2021-02-28/
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