Indian Defense Strikes Back: F-16 and JF-17 Jets Brought Down

Amid rising hostilities between India and Pakistan, the Indian Armed Forces successfully repelled multiple aerial threats launched by Pakistan. In a significant response, Indian defense units shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet and two JF-17 aircraft, according to government sources.

The confrontations began on Thursday, when Pakistan attempted coordinated aerial attacks across several regions in Jammu and Punjab. Indian air defense systems responded swiftly, intercepting and neutralizing numerous drones. Additionally, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) aircraft of Pakistan was reportedly brought down over Punjab province, crashing inside Pakistani territory.

Indian forces acted decisively to counter multiple provocations. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur and Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, drone attacks were successfully foiled. In Akhnoor, a drone was shot down, while two more were neutralized in Poonch. A Pakistani F-16 was downed using a surface-to-air missile system near Pakistan’s Sargodha air base. These F-16s, originally supplied by the U.S. in the 1980s, have previously been used by Pakistan during the 2019 Balakot conflict.

Late Thursday night, Pakistani forces attempted a missile strike near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. India’s defense systems reacted promptly, activating air defense protocols and intercepting over 70 missiles mid-air, preventing any ground-level damage, according to credible defense officials.

The situation escalated further when rockets were launched across the international border targeting Jammu. A drone also struck the Jammu Civil Airport, triggering an immediate deployment of Indian combat aircraft. India’s air defense systems swiftly intercepted and neutralized the incoming rockets and drones.

Meanwhile, intense shelling and small-arms fire were reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Samba, and Uri. Pakistan’s forces initiated provocative firing, which was met with a strong and measured response from the Indian Army. The S-400 air defense system was used to intercept eight Pakistani missiles aimed at strategic areas like Jammu airport, RS Pura, Samba, and Arnia. Two drones were also shot down near Jammu University.

The Integrated Defence Staff released a statement confirming these developments: “Pakistan attempted to attack military installations near Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur using missiles and drones. No damage has been reported. The Indian Armed Forces effectively neutralized these threats using both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures.”

These developments follow closely on the heels of India’s launch of Operation Sindoor, a successful military operation that destroyed several terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, significantly raising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Team Maverick.