The US government has refused to confirm or deny if Pakistan lost F-16 fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. The 88-hour battle between India and Pakistan took place from May 7 to May 10.
In a reply to NDTV, the US State Department said, “We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s.”
US Monitors Pakistan’s F-16s 24/7
Pakistan’s US-built F-16 jets are under constant monitoring by US contractors called Technical Support Teams (TSTs). These teams work in Pakistan round the clock. They operate under end-use agreements between Washington and Islamabad. These agreements define how Pakistan can use the jets in combat.
TSTs are required to know the exact status of every F-16 in Pakistan’s fleet at all times.
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The US statement now is different from its stand in 2019 after the Balakot air strikes. At that time, Foreign Policy magazine quoted two US defence officials who said all of Pakistan’s F-16s were accounted for and none were missing. This was after India claimed to have shot down one F-16 in that operation.
India’s Claims on Operation Sindoor
India believes Pakistan lost several F-16s during Operation Sindoor. These could have been destroyed either in air battles or on the ground during Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes.
On Saturday, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said, “Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield (was) one of the major airfields that was attacked. Here, there’s an F-16 hangar. One half of the hangar is gone. And I’m sure there were some aircraft inside which have got damaged there.”
Targets Hit in IAF Strikes
- The IAF chief detailed the attacks.
- Sukkur: UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) hangar hit.
- Bholari: AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) hangar hit.
- Jacobabad: F-16 hangar hit.
He added, “We have an indication of at least one AEW&C in that AEW&C hangar and a few F-16s, which were under maintenance.”
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The IAF claims it also shot down six Pakistani aircraft during the conflict. “We have at least five fighters as confirmed kills and one large aircraft, which could be either an ELINT or an AEW&C aircraft.” However, the IAF chief did not confirm the exact types of fighter jets destroyed.
Pakistan Denies and Challenges India
Pakistan has rejected India’s claims. Its Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, “If the truth is in question, let both sides open their aircraft inventories to independent verification – though we suspect this would lay bare the reality India seeks to obscure.” India has not responded to this challenge.
In the past, NDTV filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the US Department of Defence on this matter. The reply stated, “The FOIA does not require agencies to compile information, conduct research, answer questions, or create new documents in response to FOIA requests.”
Later questions to the Pentagon and the US Secretary of Defence’s office went unanswered.
High-Stakes Claims Remain Unverified
The truth about Pakistan’s F-16 losses during Operation Sindoor remains unclear. India insists damage was done, Pakistan denies it, and the US is staying silent. Until there is independent verification, the claims from both sides remain unproven.
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