In a fierce retaliatory strike dubbed “Operation Bunyanum Marsus,” the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) delivered a heavy blow to the Indian Air Force (IAF), downing multiple fighter jets across various locations, according to reliable security sources.
The operation, described by defense analysts as a strategic masterstroke, resulted in a wave of Indian aircraft crashes, triggering alarm bells within India's military circles.
Eyewitness accounts and security reports confirm several IAF jets were downed, with pilots either injured, missing, or feared dead.
One Indian fighter jet crashed in the Anantnag area, where the pilot is presumed dead, said sources within the security establishment. The ejection seat from this aircraft was later found in Pahegadol, Kokarnag, further confirming the crash.
Another aircraft went down in Pampur or Palwama, critically injuring both pilots who were rushed to a hospital in Srinagar for emergency treatment.
A third IAF jet crashed in Panthial/Ramso of the Ramban district, where Flying Officer Iqbal Singh was rescued and taken to Army Hospital Udhampur with serious injuries.
Yet another jet reportedly crashed in the agricultural fields of Bharda Kalan, Tehsil Akhnoor, with both ejected pilots suffering injuries and transferred to the Military Hospital Akhnoor.
Adding to the toll, an Indian Air Force aircraft also went down in Bathinda, and a Heron Remote Piloted Vehicle (RPV) was reportedly shot down 13 nautical miles east of Jammu city.
Defense experts are calling this series of crashes a “catastrophic setback” for the Indian Air Force. According to military analysts, Operation “Bunyanum Marsus” (also referred to by some sources as “Maraq Marsu”) has laid bare the vulnerabilities and strategic flaws within the IAF’s operational readiness.
“The way Indian aircraft are dropping like toys raises serious questions about their tactical coherence and air defense capabilities,” said a senior defense strategist.
The Pakistan Air Force, without disclosing the full extent of its engagement, is being lauded for its precision and dominance in the skies.
The operation may go down as one of the most consequential aerial maneuvers in the region’s recent military history.
Reporter: Ahmed Mansoor