Addressing a press conference in Pune, Chavan claimed that India faced serious challenges during the initial phase of the four-day military operation that began on May 7. He alleged that Indian fighter aircraft were shot down early in the conflict, leading to restrictions on air operations. “On the very first day, India suffered a defeat,” Chavan said, asserting that the Indian Air Force was prevented from launching sorties due to the threat of Pakistani air defences.
Referring to a brief aerial engagement on May 7, Chavan said the clash lasted about 30 minutes and resulted in what he termed a “complete setback.” He claimed that aircraft based at locations such as Gwalior, Bathinda and Sirsa could not be deployed, forcing the Air Force to halt operations temporarily.
Chavan further argued that recent conflicts demonstrate a shift in the nature of warfare. According to him, Operation Sindoor saw minimal ground movement, with hostilities largely confined to air strikes and missile attacks over two to three days. “If future wars are to be fought primarily in the air, it is worth debating whether a 1.2-million-strong army is necessary,” he said, suggesting that some personnel could be redeployed to other roles.
The remarks come amid ongoing debate over the conduct and outcomes of Operation Sindoor, which was launched following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people. India carried out air and missile strikes between May 7 and 10, targeting terror infrastructure across the border.
The government has rejected claims that Indian fighter jets were shot down during the operation. The Ministry of External Affairs earlier said comments made by a defence attaché at a seminar in Indonesia were taken out of context and misrepresented.
Chavan’s comments drew sharp reactions from political opponents, with the ruling side accusing him of undermining the armed forces. The Congress has not yet issued an official clarification on his remarks.
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