Questioned on F-16 loss during Operation Sindoor, US says 'ask Pakistan'

As per these agreements, the TSTs are contractually required to remain fully informed about the condition of every Pakistani F-16 at all times.

The US government has declined to comment on whether Pakistan lost any of its F-16 fighter jets during “Operation Sindoor,” the 88-hour confrontation between India and Pakistan from May 7 to 10. As per a n NDTV report, the US State Department said, “We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s.”

The report further states that as per the established protocols, the US usually maintains ‘Technical Support Teams’ in Pakistan to monitor f16 fighter jets in the country. In simpler terms, it means that there are always American contractors stationed in Pakistan around the clock.

These teams, working under detailed end-use agreements between the two nations, track the operational status of the jets, define permissible combat usage, and ensure Islamabad continues to receive US assistance for maintenance and sustainment.

As per these agreements, the TSTs are contractually required to remain fully informed about the condition of every Pakistani F-16 at all times.

Meanwhile, in a notable statement made on Saturday, nearly three months after the hostilities ended, the Indian Air Force chief revealed, “Shahbaz Jacobabad airfield was among the key targets hit. There’s an F-16 hangar there. Half of it is gone, and I’m certain some aircraft inside suffered damage.”

Delivering the keynote address of the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal Singh said, “We have at least five fighters (jets) confirmed killed and one large aircraft which could be an Electronics Intelligence (ELINT) aircraft or an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft which was taken out from a distance of about 300 km, which is the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about.”