Pakistan admits 11 soldiers killed, 78 injured in clash during India's Operation Sindoor

Pakistan’s military confirmed on Tuesday that 11 soldiers were killed during the recent conflict with India, which began after the May 7 airstrikes carried out by Indian forces. The strikes, part of Operation Sindoor, targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The Pakistani army's statement also revealed that 78 personnel, including soldiers from both the army and air force, sustained injuries in the four-day exchange.

The conflict saw intense retaliation from both sides. Pakistan launched drones and other projectiles targeting Indian military installations and civilian areas. The Indian forces successfully thwarted the majority of these attacks, shooting down several projectiles. Despite India’s countermeasures, cross-border firing continued along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), further escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

In response to Pakistan’s aggression, India conducted additional strikes on military facilities deep within Pakistani territory. These strikes targeted several airbases, radar sites, air defense systems, and other critical infrastructure. The Indian military claimed that these actions were a direct response to Pakistan’s cross-border fire and drone attacks on Indian installations. The exact number of casualties from India’s counterattacks has not been officially confirmed, but reports suggest that approximately 35-40 Pakistani soldiers were killed.

Pakistan’s admitted casualties included 6 army personnel and 5 air force members. Among the soldiers killed were Naik Abdul Rehman, Sepoy Muhammad Adeel Akbar, and Lance Naik Dilawar Khan. The air force personnel who lost their lives included Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf and Chief Technician Aurangzeb. The injured soldiers, numbering 78, are being treated for various wounds, though further details on their condition have not been disclosed.

The impact of the conflict extended beyond military targets, with reports indicating that Pakistan’s attacks caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure in India’s Jammu region. Areas like Poonch district experienced shelling that resulted in damage to homes, displacement of residents, and destruction of religious and educational institutions, including a temple, gurdwara, and school. Pakistan, on the other hand, accused India of targeting civilian areas during its strikes, a claim that India has denied, emphasizing that its operations were focused on military targets.