The Indian military has indirectly confirmed the deaths of several personnel — including pilots of Rafale fighter jets — by announcing posthumous honours.
The acknowledgement, reportedly prompted by internal pressure, has pulled back the curtain on what had long been kept secret: India sustained significant losses during Operation Sindoor.
According to security officials, Indian armed forces suffered a major blow, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC), where more than 250 fatalities were reported. Yet, the Indian government and military had refrained from disclosing the extent of these losses until now.
Among those receiving posthumous recognition are four Indian Air Force pilots, three of whom operated Rafale jets. Additionally, five operators of the S-400 air defence system, killed during a strike on the Adampur Airbase, are also being honoured.
The list further includes nine personnel from the Udhampur Airbase, including members of its air defence unit; two soldiers from the Rajouri aviation base; and four others, including the officer-in-charge, from the Uri supply depot.
Security sources allege that families of the deceased have been instructed not to post pictures or tributes on social media, as the authorities continue efforts to suppress the full scale of losses from public view.
Critics have questioned the government’s earlier narrative. “If there were no casualties, as long claimed, why are these honours being awarded now?” one observer asked.
India had consistently denied any major losses at key sites like Pathankot and Udhampur. However, international media outlets have reported that effective Pakistani strikes during the confrontation forced India to agree to a ceasefire — a move seen as a tacit admission of military setbacks.
The clash escalated after a series of unprovoked missile strikes by India on Pakistani territory, prompting Pakistan to launch Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, a large-scale retaliatory campaign. Pakistani forces reportedly targeted multiple Indian military installations, shooting down six Indian Air Force jets — including three Rafale fighters — and dozens of drones.
The conflict ended after 87 hours with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 53 Pakistani individuals — 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians — were martyred during Indian strikes in the confrontation.
