All Indian Air Force pilots and fighter jets involved in Operation Sindoor have returned safely to base, according to official sources from the Indian defense establishment. The operation, which involved targeted strikes on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was carried out in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Earlier, there were claims circulating in Pakistani media suggesting that Indian soldiers had been taken prisoner following the operation. However, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif later retracted those claims during a live television interview. He clarified that no Indian soldiers were captured and stated that initial reports of Indian posts being abandoned were misinterpreted.
“All Indian pilots are accounted for and have returned safely,” confirmed a senior Indian official, adding that the mission was executed with precision and no losses on the Indian side.
In a notable shift in tone, Pakistan’s Defense Minister also signaled readiness for dialogue, saying, “We will certainly talk with India if these hostilities come to an end.” The comment comes amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, as both sides face international calls to de-escalate.
Operation Sindoor targeted nine known terrorist sites, including locations in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli. These areas are believed to be key hubs for groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, both of which have a history of cross-border attacks against India.
India has maintained that the strikes were preemptive and necessary to dismantle terror networks planning further attacks. The international community, including the United States and United Nations, has urged both countries to show restraint and engage through diplomatic channels.
With Pakistan’s latest statements indicating a willingness to step back from aggressive rhetoric, the focus may now shift to possible talks — provided the current standoff does not escalate further.
