Defence Secretary Rejects Pakistan’s Claims of Shooting Down India’s Rafale Jets During Operation Sindoor
On July 7, 2025, India’s Defence Secretary RK Singh categorically dismissed Pakistan’s claims that its air force shot down Indian Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, a targeted military operation conducted by India in May 2025. The operation, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, involved precision airstrikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Singh’s rebuttal addresses a wave of disinformation propagated by Pakistan, reinforcing India’s narrative of a successful, non-escalatory mission.
Background: Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s Claims
Operation Sindoor, executed on May 7, 2025, was India’s response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Air Force (IAF), utilizing Rafale jets equipped with advanced SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, conducted strikes to neutralize terrorist infrastructure. The operation was described by Indian officials as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” targeting only terror camps and avoiding Pakistani military installations.
Following the strikes, Pakistan’s media and officials, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, claimed that their air force downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, using Chinese-made J-10C jets armed with PL-15 missiles. These claims were amplified by pro-Pakistan social media accounts, which circulated images and videos purportedly showing wreckage of Indian jets. Pakistan also alleged retaliatory strikes on Indian military sites, including the Srinagar airbase.
Defence Secretary’s Rebuttal
In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Defence Secretary RK Singh firmly rejected these claims, stating, “You have used the term Rafales in the plural, I can assure you that is absolutely not correct.” He emphasized that Pakistan’s losses in manpower and equipment far exceeded India’s, with over 100 terrorists neutralized during the operation. Singh also clarified that the Indian armed forces operated without political constraints, countering remarks by an Indian defense attaché in Indonesia suggesting otherwise.
Singh’s statements align with earlier rebuttals from Indian authorities and Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of Rafale jets. In June 2025, Dassault CEO Eric Trappier dismissed Pakistan’s claims as “inaccurate,” noting no official communication from India indicated Rafale losses. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit further debunked viral images of alleged Rafale wreckage, identifying them as old photos from a 2021 MiG-21 crash in Punjab and a 2024 MiG-29 crash in Rajasthan.
Disinformation Campaign and Fact-Checking
Indian officials have labeled Pakistan’s claims as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign to exaggerate its military success and deflect from the damage caused by Operation Sindoor. The PIB Fact Check unit clarified that images and videos circulated by Pakistan, including those endorsed by its ministers, were recycled from unrelated incidents. For instance, a video claiming an attack on Srinagar airbase and another alleging Indian soldiers surrendered at Chora Post were proven false. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Asif later retracted a claim about capturing Indian soldiers after failing to provide evidence beyond “social media chatter.”
While Pakistan provided coordinates, radar data, and alleged pilot communications to support its claims, independent verification has been limited. A single Rafale loss was confirmed by some sources, with wreckage bearing serial number BS-001 found in Bathinda, but India attributes this to a technical failure, not enemy action. Satellite imagery of crash sites remains inconclusive, and experts like Michael Clarke have noted that if a Rafale was lost, India would likely suppress confirmation to avoid embarrassment.
Broader Implications
The controversy highlights the role of disinformation in modern conflicts, with Pakistan leveraging social media to promote its narrative and bolster Chinese-made J-10 jets. Chinese media and social platforms celebrated the alleged Rafale shootdowns, framing them as a triumph for Beijing’s defense industry. However, Indian analysts and Dassault’s Trappier have dismissed these claims as propaganda to undermine the Rafale’s reputation, a cornerstone of India’s air superiority in the region.
Operation Sindoor’s success, as per Indian sources, lies in its precise targeting of terror camps, with significant damage to Pakistani infrastructure, including the loss of an AWACS aircraft at Bholari base. The IAF’s ability to bypass Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defenses further underscores its tactical edge. The operation culminated in a US-mediated ceasefire on May 10, 2025, halting further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Conclusion
Defence Secretary RK Singh’s firm denial of Pakistan’s claims reinforces India’s position that Operation Sindoor was a strategic success, executed without the loss of Rafale jets. Backed by fact-checking and statements from Dassault Aviation, India has effectively countered Pakistan’s disinformation campaign. The episode underscores the importance of verified information in high-stakes conflicts and highlights the Rafale’s critical role in India’s defense strategy. As tensions persist, clarity from official sources remains vital to separate fact from propaganda.
Disclaimer: This blog is based on available reports and official statements. Always verify information through credible sources.
