Pakistan’s military has once again resorted to rhetoric following major losses during Operation Sindoor, where several of its fighter jets and air bases were severely damaged by Indian forces.

Speaking at the Defence and Martyrs’ Day ceremony in Karachi on Saturday, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Vice Marshal Shahryar Khan attempted to downplay the setback, declaring: “Next time, the score will not be 6-0 but 60-0, Insha Allah (God willing).” He further claimed that Pakistan is a “peace-loving and progressive nation,” but warned that its pursuit of peace should not be mistaken for weakness.

The comments came after Indian Air Chief Marshal AP Singh revealed that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces destroyed at least five Pakistani fighter aircraft and one large surveillance aircraft. According to Singh, this included the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill at nearly 300 kilometers.

He detailed further damages inflicted on Pakistan’s defence infrastructure, including the destruction of two command-and-control centres at Murid and Chaklala, six radars, two surface-to-air guided weapon systems in Lahore and Okara, and strikes on hangars at Sukkur, Bholari, and Jacobabad—where F-16s and an AEW&C aircraft were believed to be stationed.

Operation Sindoor and Its Origins

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as India’s retaliatory response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Following Pakistan’s cross-border shelling and attempted drone strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, India executed a coordinated military campaign targeting radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields across 11 Pakistani airbases, including the strategically significant Nur Khan air base.

Despite heavy losses, Pakistan’s military leadership continues to use aggressive rhetoric in public speeches, while India has framed Operation Sindoor as a decisive blow against terror-linked military assets.