IAF Chief reveals the 'longest kill' achieved inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor

Chief of the Air staff AP Singh on Friday offered a rare and detailed account of Operation Sindoor, describing it as the “highlight of the year” for the Indian Air Force, and revealing that the “longest kill” ever achieved deep inside Pakistan by India was 300 kilometers within the western neighbour's borders.

The Air Force Chief Marshal made the revelation during 93rd Air Force Day celebrations.

Speaking at the ceremonial event, the IAF Chief said the force had acted under a clear mandate to punish Pakistan after terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir claimed innocent lives.


“We took a decision that we had to make them pay a price to avenge the killings of innocents,” Singh said, adding that the Indian Air Force emerged as the prime stakeholder in the retaliatory action.

Further, Air Marshal Singh said IAF struck multiple Pakistani air bases and associated infrastructure — including at least four radar sites, two command-and-control centres, two runways and three aircraft hangars — and that those strikes damaged parked aircraft.

He stated that intelligence and battle-damage indicators point to the destruction or disabling of one large transport/surveillance-type plane (described as “C-130 class” or an AEW&C/SIGINT platform) and roughly four to five fighter jets, which he said were “most likely F-16s.”

He also said one surface-to-air missile (SAM) system was destroyed, and highlighted a surface-to-air engagement he described as a long-range kill at around 300 km. These details, Singh added, come from IAF systems and post-strike assessments.

Also read: F-16, JF-17, C-130 & more: IAF chief details Pakistan losses in Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor and the 'longest kill'

Without giving away tactical specifics, Singh revealed that two of the nine terrorist camps targeted during Operation Sindoor were struck directly by the Air Force.

“It will go down in history that the longest kill we achieved was 300 kilometers far,” he noted, describing the operation as a watershed in India’s use of air power.

The IAF Chief also said that the strikes pushed Islamabad into a corner.

“We made Pakistan reach a stage where they had to ask for a ceasefire,” he said, portraying the operation as a strategic and psychological blow.

Beyond the disclosures, Singh used the occasion to underline the Air Force’s efforts to plug capability gaps. He said New Delhi was actively considering partnerships with international and domestic firms to build aircraft and weapon systems in India itself, a move he described as crucial to filling immediate shortfalls.

The IAF, he stressed, remained committed to modernization while staying battle-ready. “We will adhere to our duties and responsibilities whenever India shall need it,” Singh said, emphasizing that the Air Force’s operational readiness would not be compromised by procurement delays or technological gaps.

Moreover, Air Marshal Singh said that India's armed forces have started working on Sudarshan Chakra air defence system, and that new airbases, other infrastructure are being developed in forward areas of the northern border.

"Self reliance in defence sector is important to successfully confront future security challenges," he said.