IAF Chief on Operation Sindoor: "Many Close to Me Said, ‘We Should Have Hit Them More’”

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh revealed on Saturday that following India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), many people close to him felt the military response could have gone even further.

“We were actually on a song that night,” he said, speaking at the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru on August 9. “I hear this from so many people. I don’t want to say it, but people very close to me all said, ‘aur maarna tha’ — we should have hit them more.”

The air chief went on to reveal striking new details about the operation, describing it as one of the most significant in India's military history.

### India’s largest-ever surface-to-air kill

Air Chief Marshal Singh said the Indian Air Force shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one large aircraft, which he said could have been either a transport aircraft or an airborne warning and control system (AWACS). The kill, made at a distance of approximately 300 kilometres, is being described as India’s largest-ever recorded surface-to-air strike.

“We have confirmation of at least five fighters destroyed and one large aircraft. There’s also indication that at least one AWACS was present in that hangar. A few F-16s were under maintenance there as well,” Singh said.

He added that several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and some missiles from the Pakistani side also crashed into Indian territory during the operation.

### Targeted strikes on key airbases

The operation, according to Singh, was based on specific intelligence. The IAF struck not only terror camps but also critical military infrastructure in Pakistan.

“We targeted the airfield, including the main planning building that sometimes doubled as the civil terminal. At Sukkur airbase, we struck the UAV hangar and the radar site,” he said.

### Ajit Doval’s role and air power’s new relevance

Singh praised National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for playing a key role in coordinating the complex operation. “He was instrumental in bringing various agencies and forces together,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of strategic planning by military leaders, saying all possible scenarios and responses were carefully mapped out before the strikes.

Reflecting on the broader significance of the mission, Singh said:

> “The biggest takeaway from Operation Sindoor is the reaffirmation of the primacy of air power. People now understand that air warfare is a country’s first responder—it can act swiftly, strike with precision deep inside enemy territory, and achieve objectives with minimal collateral damage.”

Operation Sindoor, though still partially under wraps, is increasingly being viewed as a landmark moment for India’s military, showcasing its growing air warfare capabilities and strategic confidence.