The Indian military has indirectly acknowledged the damage sustained during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May while announcing military honours. This includes confirming the deaths of several personnel, including Rafale fighter jet pilots.

 

Geo News, citing security sources, reports that the move has been made amid internal pressure.

 

According to security sources, over 250 fatalities were reported due to the massive damage suffered by the Indian armed forces, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC).

 

The Indian government and military have avoided publicly acknowledging the scale of the damage; however, the recent announcement of honours has brought the casualties and other losses to light.

 

Among those posthumously awarded are reportedly four Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots, three of whom were flying French 4.5-generation Rafale jets.

 

Honours have also been announced for five S-400 air defence system operators killed at the Adampur Airbase and nine personnel who lost their lives at the Udhampur Airbase, including members of its air defence unit.

 

Moreover, two Indian soldiers from the Rajouri aviation base and four others from the Uri supply depot, including its officer-in-charge, are reportedly being recognised.

 

Citing security sources, Geo News reported that families of the deceased have allegedly been advised not to share photos or tributes on social media, as authorities continue efforts to keep the extent of the losses out of the public eye.

 

In May, after India launched Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched a large-scale retaliatory military action under Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, targeting several Indian military targets across multiple regions.

 

Pakistan downed six Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, including three Rafale, one Su-30 MKI, one Mig 29 and dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the war between the two nuclear-armed nations ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States (US).

 

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a total of 53 individuals, including 13 personnel of the armed forces and 40 civilians, were martyred in Indian strikes during the recent military confrontation.