NEW DELHI: On Indian Air Force Day, IAF chief Air Marshal AP Singh highlighted the Air Force’s recent decisive response to the Pakistan-backed terror attack in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam. He said, “Our performance in Operation Sindoor fills us with professional pride.”Speaking about India’s counterterror action under Operation Sindoor, launched in May, he added, “Operation Sindoor is a shining example of what can be achieved through meticulous planning, disciplined training and determined execution.” Elaborating on the operation’s impact, Air Marshal Singh said, “It proves to the world how air power can be effectively used in shaping military outcomes in just a few days. India’s bold and precise attacks restored the rightful place of offensive air action in the national consciousness…The outstanding performance of the indigenously developed and integrated weapons which delivered precise and devastating blows deep inside enemy territory, vindicates our faith in home-grown capabilities. Operation Sindoor is a shining example of what can be achieved through meticulous planning, disciplined training and determined execution.” The operation, launched on May 7, targeted nine major terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Muridke and Bahawalpur, the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.When Pakistan retaliated with heavy drone and missile strikes, India’s air defence system intercepted and destroyed them, preventing any loss of life and property. The IAF then struck key Pakistani air bases, dealing significant damage and demonstrating India’s swift and precise aerial capabilities.