Bowing before mounting internal pressure, the Indian government has now acknowledged “massive loss” of its military personnel in Operation Sindoor and decided to honour 100 of those troops, including four fighter pilots and five operators of the Russian defense system, killed by Pakistan armed forces.
India launched missiles attack on Pakistan on May 7 on a false pretext of Islamabad’s involvement in the killing of tourists in Pahalgam area of its occupied Kashmir in April. During the four-day war, Pakistan’s armed forces, including air force and navy, inflicted heavy losses on India.
Fearing internal backlash, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to conceal the losses suffered at the hands of Pakistan’s forces. Indian security sources said that in an attempt to avoid humiliation, the government initially hid the losses suffered during the operation. However, due to mounting internal pressure, the Indian government has acknowledged the loss of life and now been forced to award its military personnel.
According to reports, India lost more than 250 soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC). These included seven members of the Indian Air Force, five personnel of the 10th Infantry Brigade at G-Top, and nine soldiers from the Headquarters of the 93rd Infantry Brigade — all of whom are now being awarded posthumously.
Four Indian Air Force pilots will also be awarded medals, including three pilots of Rafale fighter jets. Among those to be honored are five operators of the advanced S-400 air defense system who were killed at Adampur Airbase, nine other personnel posted at Udhampur Airbase and its Air Defense Unit, two personnel killed at the Rajouri Aviation Base, and four soldiers including the Officer Commanding of the Uri Supply Depot.
According to international media, India was forced into a ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, following effective Pakistani strikes on Pathankot, Udhampur, and other strategic military locations. Multiple Indian generals and diplomatic representatives have acknowledged these losses, which included destruction of bases and Rafale fighter jets.
Indian security sources revealed that the government also pressured the families of the dead soldiers not to share photographs of their loved ones on social media so that disgrace and defeat could be concealed.
Ironically, in 2019, Wing Commander Abhinandan was given five awards, including the Vir Chakra, after his aircraft was shot down by Pakistan Air Force.
Defense experts say that any professional army in the world proudly honours its martyrs and wounded soldiers, but India not only hid its losses, it also refused to acknowledge the sacrifices of its own soldiers — a practice that is considered highly disgraceful and unprofessional for any military.