JAKARTA: Indian Defence Attaché Shiv Kumar has admitted that the Indian Air Force lost fighter jets to Pakistan due to failures by the country’s political leadership.
Speaking at a ceremony at Indonesia’s Air Force University Marshal Suryadharma, Kumar acknowledged that multiple Indian warplanes were shot down by Pakistan on May 7.
Though he refrained from stating the exact number, he confirmed, “We did lose some aircraft.”
Kumar explained that during the early phase of the aerial conflict, the Indian Air Force suffered losses because political leaders did not authorize strikes on Pakistani military installations and air defense systems.
His statement supports Pakistan’s claim that six Indian fighter jets, including the advanced Rafale, were destroyed during the skirmish.
At the time, the Indian government confirmed only the loss of “some aircraft” without disclosing full details.
India’s opposition party, Congress, strongly criticized the Modi government, demanding transparency and the full truth be shared with the nation.
They warned that concealing facts in such a critical national security issue not only undermines transparency but also raises concerns about national safety.
This revelation comes at a time of ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, where even a minor skirmish could escalate into a major conflict.
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The incident has once again sparked debates about the regional balance of power and the future of South Asia.
