Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, has hailed the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) operation against India in May as a historic success that left the world “stunned.”
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the PAF Academy in Risalpur on Tuesday, he detailed how the air force executed a multi-domain, full-spectrum operation, demonstrating unprecedented precision and coordination.
“For the first time in history, the Pakistan Air Force conducted an operation employing space, electronic warfare, long-range unmanned aerial systems, killer drones, and loitering munitions,” said Air Chief Sidhu. “The world was stunned to witness the superb execution of Pakistan Air Force operation that was excellently choreographed and flawlessly executed.”
The air chief emphasized that the recent conflict in May reflected ongoing challenges to Pakistan’s sovereignty. “Our adversaries have always tried to undermine our nation. But, alhamdulillah, the people of Pakistan and its forces united to defeat the enemy, despite their numerical advantage,” he added.
He cited the success of Marka-e-Haq and Bunyan-um-Marsoos as proof of a unified national approach and divine blessings. During the intense aerial engagements on May 6 and 7, the PAF reportedly shot down multiple advanced enemy aircraft, including Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s, and unmanned aerial systems, leaving the enemy’s airspace silent for the rest of the conflict.
Air Chief Sidhu also highlighted Pakistan’s measured but effective response to the adversary’s pre-emptive moves on May 10. Coordinating with the Pakistan Army, the PAF struck deep into enemy territory, targeting bases, ground assets, and state-of-the-art defense systems, including the S-400. “Our actions were effective yet balanced, driven by a single aim: to ensure peace with honour, in line with the aspirations of our great nation,” he noted.
The Air Chief’s remarks underscore the PAF’s evolving strategic capabilities and its commitment to defending Pakistan’s sovereignty. Experts say that the superb execution of Pakistan Air Force operation in May will be studied as one of the most intense aerial battles in modern history.
