Operation Sindoor intensifies: India downs three Pakistani fighter jets, captures PAF pilot in Jaisalmer  

Operation Sindoor is rapidly escalating on Thursday, May 8, as the Indian air defense system reportedly shot down three Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets, including two JF-17s and one F-16, during retaliatory aerial engagements over northwestern Indian airspace. In addition to the fighter losses, a Pakistani surveillance aircraft was also brought down by Indian air defense forces, with debris reportedly falling near the India-Pakistan border. 

One of the Pakistani fighter pilots, believed to have ejected over Indian territory during the dogfight, was captured alive by Indian ground forces in the Jaisalmer sector of Rajasthan. Official sources from India’s Ministry of Defence, speaking on background, stated that the captured pilot was immediately taken into military custody and is being interrogated in accordance with Geneva Convention obligations. 

These developments mark the most severe air conflict between India and Pakistan since the 2019 Balakot strikes and their aftermath, when both countries conducted limited aerial operations that included the downing of aircraft on both sides. This time, however, the scale and timing indicate a wider pattern of coordinated cross-border hostility. 

Why Was India’s Operation Sindoor Launched? 

Operation Sindoor was launched following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian security personnel. Indian intelligence agencies, including the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), traced the origin of the attack to Pakistan-based terror groups operating out of launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the Punjab province of Pakistan. 

In response, India initiated a multi-pronged military operation targeting key terror infrastructure. According to official briefings from the Indian Army and Air Force, nine terror camps were struck across Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Rawalakot using precision air strikes and drone-based targeting, leading to considerable material and personnel damage on the Pakistani side. 

The Pakistani military retaliated on the night of May 7 with a coordinated aerial and drone-based offensive targeting cities in northern and western India, including Jammu, Amritsar, Jaisalmer, and Pathankot. Indian defense systems, particularly the S-400 and Akash missile batteries, responded by intercepting and neutralizing the incoming drones and aircraft. 

Which Pakistani Aircraft Were Shot Down by India? 

As confirmed by Indian defence officials and multiple media reports, three Pakistani aircraft were shot down during the engagements. Two of them were JF-17 Thunder multirole fighters, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and the third was an American-origin F-16 Fighting Falcon, previously sold to Pakistan under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The JF-17s are considered the workhorses of Pakistan’s air defense strategy, often deployed for quick strike missions and cross-border surveillance. 

The downed surveillance aircraft was reportedly a Saab 2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, a critical component of Pakistan’s aerial situational awareness grid. The loss of such an asset is likely to affect Pakistan’s airspace monitoring capabilities in the near term. 

While the Indian government has not released footage of the dogfight, defence analysts note that the timing and nature of the shootdowns indicate a robust and well-coordinated integrated air defense response, led by IAF squadrons operating out of forward airbases in Rajasthan and Punjab. 

Who Is the Captured Pakistani Pilot and What Happens Next? 

The identity of the captured Pakistani pilot has not been officially disclosed. However, Indian officials confirmed that the pilot was found conscious after parachuting into Indian-controlled territory near Jaisalmer and was promptly taken into custody. The situation is reminiscent of the 2019 capture of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistani forces, who was later returned after international diplomatic pressure. 

This time, the Indian government is expected to use the pilot’s custody as strategic leverage in international forums, possibly to highlight Pakistan’s continued military escalation and support to non-state actors operating against India. While the Indian side has affirmed that the pilot will be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, it remains unclear if or when he will be repatriated. 

How Has the International Community Reacted to the Situation? 

Initial reactions from global powers have been cautious but concerned. The United States has urged both countries to exercise restraint and avoid further military escalation, especially after reports confirmed that an F-16 supplied under American end-user agreements was used in an offensive capacity. This may trigger diplomatic consequences for Islamabad, which has previously faced criticism for diverting U.S.-supplied equipment for use in non-terror operations. 

The United Nations, through its spokesperson, has called for “urgent de-escalation and return to dialogue.” Meanwhile, countries like Russia, France, and the United Kingdom are reportedly in back-channel talks with both New Delhi and Islamabad to prevent a full-scale escalation. 

China, a close strategic ally of Pakistan and co-developer of the JF-17s, has maintained a non-committal stance, merely calling for peace in the region while avoiding direct criticism of Indian military actions. However, analysts suggest that Beijing may be privately alarmed at the loss of its co-developed JF-17s, especially given India’s stated capability to shoot down advanced aircraft. 

What Does This Mean for Regional Stability Going Forward? 

With both sides now experiencing direct combat losses and a pilot in custody, the situation remains volatile. India’s strategic messaging around Operation Sindoor has made it clear that any proxy attack on Indian territory, especially by Pakistan-sponsored groups, will be met with proportionate and direct retaliation. 

While India has stated its objective is limited to dismantling terror infrastructure and defending its airspace, Pakistani military responses have broadened the scope of engagement, raising fears of an uncontrolled spiral into wider conflict. Analysts argue that both sides must now weigh the risks of further retaliation against the diplomatic and economic costs of sustained military escalation. 

Moreover, Pakistan’s internal security situation, including recent political instability and economic fragility, may make it more susceptible to retaliatory pressures, potentially pushing the military to escalate further. On the Indian side, the armed forces have reportedly been placed on high alert across all western commands, with reinforcements being moved toward forward posts. 

The downing of three Pakistani fighter jets, the loss of a key surveillance aircraft, and the capture of a Pakistan Air Force pilot mark a critical inflection point in the unfolding crisis between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Operation Sindoor, which began as a precision campaign against terror camps, has now triggered a wider military confrontation that could redefine the rules of engagement in South Asia. How the next 48 to 72 hours unfold may determine whether the conflict escalates into open war or recedes into a tense but controlled standoff.