During Operation Sandhoor, the Indian military suffered heavy casualties—losses that were initially kept secret by the Indian government and armed forces. According to security sources, India not only attempted to conceal its military failure by refusing to acknowledge these deaths but also pressured the families of the deceased soldiers to refrain from sharing any details or images on social media.
However, due to internal pressure and growing international criticism, India is now posthumously honoring the same soldiers—an indirect admission of its defeat.
Verified reports indicate that India suffered the loss of over 250 personnel in sensitive areas including the Line of Control. These included Indian Air Force pilots, Rafale jet operators, S-400 missile defense system crew, and soldiers from various brigades and air bases. The soldiers now being awarded honors had never been officially declared dead or recognized by the government until now.
International media and defense analysts see this move as a clear sign of India’s vulnerability. They criticize the Indian government for initially ignoring the sacrifices of its soldiers in an attempt to save face, calling it a disgraceful act unbecoming of a professional military force. Now, by awarding these soldiers with military honors, India appears to be cloaking its defeat in the garb of valor.
It is worth recalling that in 2019, India awarded Wing Commander Abhinandan the “Vir Chakra” after his aircraft was shot down by Pakistan—another attempt to publicly spin a military setback as a national triumph. Similarly, the severe damage sustained during Operation Sandhoor—destruction of Rafale jets, airbase attacks, and high personnel casualties—can no longer be hidden. The latest honors list has pulled the curtain back on what was once denied.
