Sat May 31 12:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text, focusing on the key events and statements:
**India Claims Air Superiority Turnaround in Recent Conflict with Pakistan**
**SINGAPORE, May 31, 2025 (The Hindu) –** India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, has stated that India recovered from initial setbacks to achieve decisive air superiority over Pakistan in the brief but intense conflict that ended with a ceasefire on May 10th. The fighting, triggered by a deadly terror attack in Kashmir on April 22nd that India blamed on Pakistan-backed terrorists, saw the heaviest exchanges between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in decades.
According to General Chauhan, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum, while Pakistan claimed to have downed six Indian aircraft, including Rafale fighters, in the opening days of the conflict, India adjusted its tactics and retaliated with significant force. He claimed Indian forces then launched large-scale strikes against Pakistani air bases deep inside the country, penetrating air defenses with impunity on May 7th, 8th and 10th. Indian missiles and drones reportedly struck at least eight Pakistani air bases, even near Islamabad, with pinpoint accuracy. Pakistan has contested the claim of further Indian fighter jet activity after initial losses.
Despite the intensity of the conflict, both General Chauhan and Pakistan’s chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza, have maintained that nuclear escalation was never a consideration. General Chauhan expressed confidence in the rationality of both sides’ militaries, suggesting a new norm of conventional operations exists below the nuclear threshold.
He also addressed concerns about potential Chinese involvement, stating that India detected no unusual activity along its northern borders during the conflict. While acknowledging the possibility of Pakistan obtaining commercially available satellite imagery from China or other sources, he said there was no evidence of direct Chinese support.
General Chauhan concluded by emphasizing India’s commitment to responding decisively to any future terror attacks originating from Pakistan, signaling a state of heightened readiness for the Indian armed forces.
This article is based on an interview with General Chauhan and information previously reported, including claims from both sides regarding downed aircraft and targets struck. The conflict, dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” has sparked debate about deterrence and the use of air power in the region.
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