India Admits Heavy Losses in Operation Sindoor

Under growing internal pressure, the Indian government has finally acknowledged “massive loss” of its military personnel during Operation Sindoor and announced plans to honour 100 of the fallen troops, including four fighter pilots and five operators of the Russian S-400 air defence system.

Background of the Conflict

India had launched missile attacks on Pakistan on May 7, 2025, based on unproven claims that Islamabad was linked to the killing of tourists in the Pahalgam region of Indian-occupied Kashmir.

In the four-day confrontation that followed, Pakistan’s armed forces — including its air force and navy — responded forcefully, inflicting severe damage on Indian military installations.

Initial Concealment by Modi Government

In the aftermath, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly attempted to hide the scale of the losses. “Fearing internal backlash, the government… tried to conceal the losses suffered at the hands of Pakistan’s forces.” However, sustained public and internal pressure forced the Indian leadership to publicly recognize the casualties and announce posthumous awards for the soldiers.

Breakdown of Casualties

According to security sources, India lost over 250 soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC). Among the deceased were:

• 7 Indian Air Force officers
• 5 soldiers from the 10th Infantry Brigade at G-Top
• 9 troops from the 93rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters
• 4 Rafale fighter pilots
• 5 S-400 system operators killed at Adampur Airbase
• 9 personnel at Udhampur Airbase and its Air Defense Unit
• 2 soldiers at Rajouri Aviation Base
• 4 troops including the OC of the Uri Supply Depot

All are now being posthumously recognized for their service.

Ceasefire and Global Attention

International media reports confirm that India was forced into a ceasefire after precise strikes by Pakistan on strategic Indian military points like Pathankot and Udhampur. The ceasefire was reportedly brokered by then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

Censorship and Criticism

Indian sources also claimed that the government discouraged families of deceased soldiers from sharing their photos online to suppress evidence of defeat. This secrecy has drawn sharp criticism from defense analysts who stated that “any professional army in the world proudly honours its martyrs,” calling India’s approach “disgraceful and unprofessional.”

Historical Comparison

Observers pointed out the irony that in 2019, India had widely celebrated Wing Commander Abhinandan — whose jet was downed by Pakistan — with multiple military honours, while attempting to hide more substantial losses in Operation Sindoor.