India Confirms Deaths of Over 250 Soldiers, Including Rafale Pilots Along LoC

News Desk

Islamabad:  In a major revelation, India has indirectly acknowledged the deaths of several military personnel including Rafale fighter jet pilots by announcing posthumous honours, after long denying any casualties during the recent military escalation with Pakistan.

According to security sources, the Indian military suffered significant losses during Operation Sindoor, especially along the Line of Control (LoC), where over 250 fatalities were reported. Despite sustained denials from the Indian government and military, the announcement of these military honours has brought the concealed casualties into public view.

Among those reportedly honoured posthumously are:

Four Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots, three of whom were flying Rafale jets.

Five S-400 air defence system operators killed at Adampur Airbase.

Nine personnel, including air defence unit members, who died at Udhampur Airbase.

Two soldiers from Rajouri aviation base.

Four others from the Uri supply depot, including the officer-in-charge.

Sources claim the honours were conferred under internal military and political pressure, lifting the lid on what critics describe as a coordinated effort to hide the true extent of Indian losses.

Furthermore, families of the deceased have reportedly been instructed not to post tributes or images on social media — an apparent attempt by authorities to control the narrative and limit public scrutiny.

This revelation has sparked sharp questions: If India maintained there were no major casualties, why are these posthumous honours being awarded now?

India has previously denied suffering significant losses in attacks on strategic installations, such as Pathankot and Udhampur. However, international media outlets and intelligence reports suggest otherwise — pointing to considerable damage inflicted by Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, which forced India to agree to a ceasefire.

The confrontation followed multiple unprovoked Indian missile strikes on Pakistani territory, prompting Pakistan to launch Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos in response — a large-scale military counter-operation targeting Indian bases across several regions.

According to Pakistani security officials:

Six IAF fighter jets, including three Rafale, were downed.

Dozens of Indian drones were also neutralized.

The conflict lasted 87 hours, culminating in a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that 53 Pakistani citizens — including 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians — were martyred in the Indian attacks.