US Warfare Expert Challenges Pakistan’s Claims During Operation Sindoor

US Expert Debunks Pakistan’s Claims in Operation Sindoor Air Campaign

One year after India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for a terrorist attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, a leading American warfare expert has challenged Pakistan’s narrative about the 88-hour air campaign, revealing that Indian forces achieved significant tactical victories despite initial claims to the contrary.

John Spencer, Executive Director at the US-based Urban Warfare Institute, published an analysis on the American platform Substack Wednesday, detailing how Pakistan’s early claims of downing Indian aircraft and achieving military success failed to withstand scrutiny as the operation unfolded between May 7-10, 2025.

“In India-Pakistan clashes, the narrative has often followed a predictable pattern, with Pakistan rapidly shaping the information space through exaggerated or unverified claims across international media,” Spencer wrote. “The 88-hour air campaign from May 7 to 10, 2025, initially appeared to fit that pattern. Early reporting focused heavily on claims of Indian aircraft losses, and much of the Western coverage framed the Pakistan Air Force as having achieved a disproportionate success. That narrative did not withstand scrutiny.”

Spencer cited a comprehensive report released on January 15 by Switzerland’s Centre d’Histoire et de Prospective Militaires. The analysis, authored by military historian Adrien Fontanellaz and reviewed by a panel led by retired Swiss Air Force Major General Claude Meier, reconstructed the conflict based on operational data rather than initial narratives. This independent assessment confirmed that India not only achieved its military objectives but likely exceeded expectations.

The air campaign was launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 tourists after identifying them by religion. India’s retaliatory strikes on May 7 targeted nine terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

While Pakistan mounted an initial response, Spencer noted that the Indian Air Force quickly established air superiority over key sectors of Pakistani airspace. “The Pakistan Air Force became increasingly unsustainable after the opening night,” he explained. “That outcome was not the result of a single strike or isolated engagement. It emerged from a deliberate suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses campaign conducted over multiple days that degraded Pakistan’s ability to see, coordinate, and respond.”

The expert assessment provides external validation for India’s military operation, something Spencer noted the Indian government “rarely emphasizes publicly.” The Swiss report indicates that Operation Sindoor’s objectives were not merely achieved but surpassed initial expectations.

The conflict’s conclusion after 88 hours has sparked debate about whether India should have extended the campaign. However, Spencer clarified Pakistan’s motivation for seeking a ceasefire: “It did so after losing the ability to continue the fight on terms that could change the outcome.”

This assessment comes at a time of heightened tensions in South Asia, where cross-border terrorism and military posturing continue to threaten regional stability. The conflict demonstrated India’s growing air power capabilities and willingness to respond forcefully to terrorist provocations, while exposing potential vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defense systems.

Military analysts note that this operation marks a significant evolution in India’s approach to counterterrorism, moving beyond limited strikes to a more comprehensive air campaign that established air dominance and conducted precision strikes deep into Pakistani territory.

The Swiss report’s findings may influence future security calculations in the region, particularly regarding Pakistan’s historical approach to information warfare and its support for militant groups operating against India.