Pakistani air power crumbles: India downs Chinese-made JF-17 fighters

Operation Sindoor continues to intensify on Thursday with India‘s armed forces shooting down two Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets and striking multiple terror-linked sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including a critical air defense facility in Lahore.

What Triggered India’s Expanded Military Response?

The latest phase of Operation Sindoor follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists. Indian intelligence agencies attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups operating from protected zones in PoK and within Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. This prompted a carefully coordinated military counteroffensive across multiple domains involving the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy in joint operational roles.

Sources from India’s defence establishment confirmed that the downing of two Pakistani JF-17 jets occurred during retaliatory airspace incursions by the Pakistan Air Force, with both aircraft intercepted over Jammu and Kashmir. India’s air defence systems, bolstered by radar-guided interceptors and surface-to-air missile units, successfully neutralized the threat before the jets could reach their intended targets.

What Are the JF-17 Thunder Jets and How Did Pakistan Acquire Them?

The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). It was conceived as a cost-effective fighter capable of replacing Pakistan’s ageing fleet of Mirage III, F-7, and A-5 aircraft. The development partnership, initiated in the late 1990s, was driven by Pakistan’s strategic objective to achieve air power self-reliance while bolstering its air defense capabilities with Chinese support.

China officially began delivering JF-17s to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in 2007, with the first locally assembled units rolled out from PAC Kamra soon thereafter. Over 140 units are currently in service across PAF squadrons. The jets are equipped with Chinese avionics, radar systems, and can carry a mix of air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions, including beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles and precision-guided bombs.

In recent years, Pakistan has also inducted newer Block III variants, featuring upgraded radar (KLJ-7A AESA), electronic warfare systems, and helmet-mounted displays. Despite these enhancements, defence experts often point out that the JF-17, while capable, falls short of modern fourth-generation fighters such as India’s Rafale in terms of range, payload, and electronic countermeasures.

The JF-17s involved in the latest escalation were reportedly part of Pakistan’s frontline squadrons based out of northern operational airbases, likely deployed as part of a retaliatory contingency following India’s initial strikes under Operation Sindoor.

What Is the Strategic Scope of Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor represents one of India’s most expansive cross-border military initiatives since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. Designed to dismantle militant training and coordination centers, the operation has so far targeted nine high-value locations identified through months of human and signal intelligence gathering.

These targets, confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, included terrorist hubs in Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, Muridke, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Indian forces deployed precision-guided munitions via Rafale fighter aircraft armed with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer smart bombs. Surveillance and targeting support was provided by Netra AEW&C aircraft and satellite intelligence, while Harpy drones were used to neutralize enemy radar and surface-to-air systems.

According to government sources, the main goal was to disrupt terror logistics, communication nodes, and leadership networks of groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, both of which India holds responsible for numerous cross-border attacks.

How Were the JF-17 Jets Shot Down?

The interception of the JF-17s occurred early Thursday morning when Indian sensors detected an attempted aerial assault along the Line of Control. Defence officials stated that India’s Layered Air Defence Network, including Akash and SPYDER missile systems, intercepted the two fighters. Both aircraft were reportedly attempting to conduct precision strikes on military infrastructure in Jammu and adjoining regions.

The swift downing of these jets underscored India’s elevated readiness posture and real-time threat response mechanisms. It marked the first confirmed air-to-air engagement involving JF-17s since the 2019 post-Pulwama standoff, highlighting the growing volatility of the subcontinent’s aerial defense scenario.

What Were the Other Targets of the Operation?

Beyond the airspace engagement, Operation Sindoor focused on striking nine terror-related infrastructure nodes. Indian forces targeted militant camps, command-and-control centers, safe houses, and arms depots. The MoD described these as “launchpads and communication hubs” for cross-border infiltration and terror coordination.

Among the most high-profile targets was a Pakistani military air defense complex in Lahore. This site, which reportedly controlled operations for drone deployments and radar surveillance in the eastern theatre, was severely damaged by a coordinated airstrike. The use of Israeli-made Harpy loitering munitions effectively blinded the radar systems before the main strike assets executed precision bombing runs.

How Did Pakistan Respond?

Pakistan responded by claiming it had downed multiple Indian aircraft, a claim swiftly rejected by India’s Ministry of Defence. The Pakistani military also initiated limited artillery fire across several sectors of the Line of Control, including Uri, Rajouri, and Poonch. However, Indian forces retaliated proportionately without reported casualties, as per official statements.

Islamabad summoned India’s chargé d’affaires and warned of “consequences”, while Pakistani airbases in Sargodha, Jacobabad, and Masroor were reportedly placed on red alert. The Pakistan Air Force also carried out defensive combat air patrols near key cities but avoided further incursions into Indian airspace.

How Has the International Community Reacted?

The United Nations Secretary-General issued an urgent appeal for calm, calling on both nations to exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue. Statements from the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the South Asian region, particularly given the nuclear capabilities of both states.

China, traditionally a close ally of Pakistan, expressed concern over regional destabilization and urged “constructive engagement”, while Turkey offered to mediate between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, concerned about the safety of South Asian expatriates and oil trade routes, also appealed for de-escalation.

What Is the Current Status of Operation Sindoor?

As of the latest updates, Indian forces remain on heightened alert across air, land, and maritime fronts. Top-level coordination meetings continue at South Block, where India’s Defence Minister and National Security Adviser are overseeing mission progress. Additional air patrols, including Su-30 MKI and Rafale fighters, have been deployed in offensive formations.

Operation Sindoor’s next phase may involve deeper strikes if cross-border threats persist. Defence analysts anticipate that India could also increase maritime surveillance in the Arabian Sea and reallocate assets toward the western command theatre. Additionally, Indian forces are prepared for counter-sabotage operations along vulnerable border infrastructure in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

What Comes Next in the India-Pakistan Security Equation?

India’s signalling through Operation Sindoor suggests a recalibration of its military doctrine, one that no longer separates state and non-state actors when evaluating threats from Pakistan’s territory. By targeting strategic military infrastructure in Lahore and actively intercepting Pakistani Air Force assets, India has blurred the lines between anti-terror and conventional operations.

While this approach may limit future militant attacks, it also risks normalizing cross-border strikes and aerial dogfights as part of bilateral engagement. This would mark a dangerous trend, particularly when both countries maintain significant nuclear arsenals.

Diplomatic backchannels, including those mediated by third-party nations, are likely to play a critical role in the coming days. The South Asian security architecture now hinges on whether Islamabad responds with restraint or escalation. For New Delhi, Operation Sindoor is not only a military campaign but a message about deterrence and sovereignty.