India admits Rafale pilots, hundreds of soldiers lost in Pakistani attacks

Despite persistent efforts to cover up the heavy losses sustained during Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, the Indian government has finally acknowledged the deaths of its soldiers by announcing posthumous military honours. Among those to be awarded are four pilots, three of whom flew Rafale fighter jets.

According to reliable sources, over 250 Indian soldiers were killed along the Line of Control (LoC) alone.

The list of recipients includes four Indian Air Force pilots, five operators of the advanced S-400 defense system who were killed at the Adampur airbase, and nine military personnel stationed at the Udhampur airbase, including members of the Air Defense Unit.

Additionally, two soldiers killed at the Aviation Base in Rajouri and four, including the Officer Commanding (OC) of the Uri Supply Depot, will also be posthumously honoured.

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As per reports, the families of the deceased soldiers have been pressured not to share any photos or details of their loved ones on social media, a move seen by many as part of the continued effort to conceal the true scale of Indian losses.

The Modi government had previously denied casualties at both the Pathankot and Udhampur bases. However, the decision to award military honours has raised questions about the Indian media’s false narrative that no major losses were incurred.

Several international news outlets have reported that India was compelled to declare a ceasefire after multiple effective strikes by Pakistan, including those targeting high-value installations in Pathankot and Udhampur.

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Indian military officials have now admitted that Pakistan's use of advanced military technology with Chinese support, gave it a significant edge during the confrontation.

Pakistan had launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos in response to unprovoked Indian aggression that claimed the lives of several Pakistani civilians. In a calculated move to avoid civilian casualties, Pakistan's military precisely targeted Indian airbases, defence systems, and border posts.

Pakistan, however, also suffered losses during the exchange. A total of 53 Pakistanis were killed, including 40 civilians and 13 soldiers, as a result of India’s initial attacks.