Pakistan's evidence of killing Indian jets

Web Desk: Following the recent skirmishes between Pakistan and India, both sides have issued conflicting statements regarding the damage inflicted on each other. The focus has largely been on Pakistan’s claim that it downed five Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale aircraft. India has made similar claims, asserting it shot down Pakistani jets, but has not provided specific evidence.

Pakistan’s Evidence and Claims:
In a recent press briefing, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, flanked by representatives from the Air Force and Navy, asserted that five Indian aircraft were brought down. Supporting visuals, including video clips from Indian media and photographs allegedly showing wreckage, were presented.

Electronic Signature as Evidence:
Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed stated that Pakistani forces tracked the Indian jets using their electronic IDs and data links, which provide distinct electronic signatures. According to him:

A MiG-29 was shot down 8 nautical miles from the Line of Control (LoC) near Srinagar.
An SU-30 was brought down 25 nautical miles from the LoC.
One Rafale was downed 53 nautical miles from the LoC near Srinagar.
Another Rafale was hit 7 nautical miles from the international border near Bathinda.
A third Rafale was targeted near Jammu.

These claims were reinforced with references to radar tracking data and the inability of modern aircraft to remain hidden once they activate their radar systems.

Role of PL-15 Missiles:
Former Air Commodore Khalid Chishti explained to BBC that the Chinese-made J-10C and JF-17 Thunder jets operated by the Pakistan Air Force are equipped with PL-15 air-to-air missiles. These missiles have a range of approximately 200 kilometers and feature active radar seekers.

He noted that PL-15s only switch to terminal attack mode when confident of a target hit. If not, they self-destruct mid-air. This capability, coupled with electronic signatures and human intelligence, supports Pakistan’s belief that it successfully downed Indian jets.

Verification Through Open-Source Intelligence:
Former U.S. military official Andrew Davidson told the BBC that open-source intelligence, such as radar tracking, satellite imagery, and pilot testimonies, can support such claims. However, these remain partial proofs without hard evidence like wreckage or official admission.

BBC Verify had earlier confirmed three videos purportedly showing Rafale wreckage. The Washington Post also cited similar findings, adding some weight to Pakistan’s assertions.

Nature of Modern Dogfights:
Air Marshal (Retd) Javaid Ahmed from the Center for Aerospace and Security Studies emphasized that today’s dogfights differ from traditional ones. Modern engagements often occur beyond visual range, making physical wreckage retrieval difficult.

He stated that electronic data is now a key indicator of aerial kills. Each aircraft emits a unique electronic signature, which can validate whether it was successfully targeted.

International Protocols and Aircraft Loss Disclosure:
There is no international law mandating that a country must disclose aircraft losses. For instance, when India claimed to have downed a Pakistani F-16 in 2019, U.S. officials physically counted the aircraft in Pakistan and confirmed none were missing. This was possible due to End-User Monitoring agreements attached to American-made jets.

In contrast, France, which sells Rafales to India, has no legal obligation to confirm or deny any losses. Former U.S. officer Andrew Davidson also confirmed there are no global laws requiring such disclosures.

Pakistan’s Strategic Information Warfare:
Veteran Indian journalist Praveen Sawhney noted on his YouTube channel that Pakistan effectively won the information war by presenting detailed briefings, maps, and consistent messaging, which shaped international media coverage. In contrast, India offered limited and vague responses, allowing Pakistan’s narrative to dominate.

Sawhney emphasized that the credibility of such information warfare lies in its ability to mix facts with strategic messaging — something Pakistan executed effectively.

Source: BBC Urdu