Pakistan loses two spy planes and six fighter fighters in a four-day battle with India

The details emerging from the recent four-day air conflict between India and Pakistan, as reported, represent one of the most significant escalations in subcontinental aerial warfare in recent years, with devastating consequences for Pakistan’s military aviation infrastructure.

Key Highlights of the Conflict (May 7–10, 2025):

1. Heavy Pakistani Losses:

   • 6 Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets were destroyed in air combat engagements.

   • 2 high-value surveillance aircraft were eliminated:

     • One struck by a long-range Sudarshan missile at ~300 km range.

     • A Swedish-origin AEW&C destroyed at Bholari Airbase by an air-launched cruise missile.

   • A C-130 Hercules transport aircraft was taken out by an Indian drone strike in Punjab, Pakistan.

   • Over 30 missiles, including cruise and ballistic types, were intercepted mid-air by India.

   • More than 10 Pakistani UCAVs and multiple Wing Loong drones (Chinese-origin) were neutralized.

2. India’s Tactical Superiority:

   • Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Rafale and Su-30 fighters in joint precision strikes.

   • Air-launched cruise missiles were the primary weapon system, with no surface-launched BrahMos used.

   • India reportedly used advanced targeting systems and long-range munitions, including the Sudarshan system, to strike key Pakistani installations with high accuracy.

   • The radar disappearance of Pakistani jets post-strike was visually confirmed by IAF systems, underscoring the successful target engagement.

3. Strategic Outcomes:

   • The operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, began as a retaliatory strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

   • The conflict’s intensity and precision forced Pakistan to request a ceasefire by May 10, after facing severe attrition in assets and strategic capabilities.

   • Indian officials are still processing operational data, which may further reveal the depth of Pakistan’s losses and India’s technological edge in modern air warfare.

4. Implications for Regional Stability:

   • This marks a dramatic shift in rules of engagement, particularly given the deep strikes into Pakistani airbases and command infrastructure.

   • The use of drone strikes, long-range precision munitions, and coordinated aerial assaults points to a new doctrine of deterrence and surgical retaliation on India’s part.

   • It also raises questions about future diplomatic and military engagement protocols between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

In sum, this four-day air conflict may well become a turning point in South Asian military history. It demonstrated India's offensive depth, use of cutting-edge weapons systems, and strategic dominance in the skies. For Pakistan, it represents a significant blow to its deterrent capabilities and may necessitate a full-scale review of its air defence strategy and foreign military dependencies.