India confirms combat losses in clash with Pakistan, but offers no jet count

India’s military on Sunday confirmed that it suffered combat losses during recent hostilities with Pakistan, while declining to provide specific details about any downed aircraft.

The admission came during a press briefing on “Operation Sindoor,” India’s military campaign against Pakistan, amid heightened cross-border tensions.

During the press briefing, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations for the Indian Air Force, dodged questions regarding Pakistan’s claim of shooting down Indian jets.

“Military losses are a part of combat; the question that should be asked is whether India has achieved its objective, which it has,” Bharti said.

He did not specify how many Indian aircraft had been lost.

Bharti also claimed that Indian forces had shot down “a few” Pakistani jets but declined to provide evidence or numbers.

“We prevented Pakistani jets from coming inside our territory, so we do not have the records with us,” he said. “We are getting into the technical details, but I would not like to put a figure to it.”

The military also confirmed casualties among its ground forces.

Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations, said five Indian soldiers had been killed during the operation.

“I pay my solemn homage to my five colleagues from the armed forces who have lost their lives during Operation Sindoor,” Ghai said.

This is India’s first official acknowledgment of combat losses since the latest skirmishes with Pakistan began.

Ceasefire

Amid rising hostilities and fears of further escalation between India and Pakistan, U.S. President Donald Trump broke the tension with a dramatic announcement on Saturday -- declaring that both countries had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire,“ bringing a moment of calm to an otherwise volatile standoff.

As per reports, Pakistan and India mutually agreed to allow the U.S. president to make the ceasefire announcement.

"After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence," he said in a post on Truth Social.

Pakistan’s reply

Pakistan launched a major counter-offensive on Saturday, codenamed Operation Bunyān-un-Marsūs, following Indian air-to-ground missile strikes on multiple Pakistani airbases -- an assault Islamabad condemned as a blatant act of aggression. The escalation prompted urgent diplomatic efforts from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to defuse tensions.

Islamabad said the strikes were in retaliation for Indian missile attacks on three key airbases, including Nur Khan near the capital, which it claimed were largely intercepted by Pakistani air defenses.

Despite the flare-up, both sides have signaled a cautious openness to de-escalation, though neither has backed down on the military front.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar told Secretary Rubio that India’s posture “has always been measured and responsible — and remains so.” The Indian military also said it was open to de-escalation, provided Pakistan reciprocates.

“In over 26 attempted air intrusions, Pakistan inflicted damage on our equipment and personnel at airbases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda,” said Indian military spokesperson Col. Sofiya Qureshi during a press briefing.

With additional reporting by Reuters.