In Republic Day parade, India flies Rafale BS-022 Pakistan claimed to have shot down during Op Sindoor – Firstpost

In a show of aerial strength at the 77th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path, the Indian Air Force (IAF) led the vaste finale with a spectacular fly-past, including the Rafale fighter jet BS-022 — previously claimed by Pakistan to have been shot down during Operation Sindoor.

In a video released by the IAF,  Rafale BS-022 is seen soaring in the skies, reaffirming India’s air power.

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Pakistan-based propaganda accounts had alleged that the same aircraft, along with other Rafale jets and S-400 air defence systems, were destroyed during the four-day military stand-off following Operation Sindoor.

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India has consistently clarified that none of its Rafale jets were damaged during the operation, dismissing Pakistan’s claims as false.

According to a News18 report, as part of the Republic Day fly-past, a total of 29 aircraft — including 16 fighter jets, four transport planes, and nine helicopters —soared over Kartavya Path in precise, coordinated formations.

The display featured Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar jets, Apache helicopters, and the Indian Navy’s P-8i maritime patrol aircraft.

A ‘spearhead’ formation, dubbed the Sindoor formation, included two Rafales, two MiG-29s, two Su-30s, and a Jaguar. The formation was dedicated to the Indian Air Force’s role in Operation Sindoor, launched in May last year to target terrorists following the Pahalgam attack.

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Six Rafale jets also formed the Vajraang formation, a high-precision display highlighting the Air Force’s strategic and operational capabilities.

The Vijay formation drew particular attention when a Rafale flew at 900 kmph at just 300 metres above the water channel north of Rajpath before executing a dramatic Vertical Charlie manoeuvre.

During the Vertical Charlie, the jet accelerated low and rapid, then pulled up into a vertical climb, performing multiple rolls that showcased both the aircraft’s thrust and agility and the pilot’s exceptional skill, added the report.

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India launched Operation Sindoor, carrying out precision strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

In the first phase, the Indian Air Force targeted camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, killing over 100 terrorists, including 10 family members of JeM chief Masood Azhar and four of his close aides.

When Pakistan attempted retaliatory strikes on Indian cities and key installations, India escalated in a second phase on the night of May 9–10, hitting major Pakistani airbases including Nur Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Murid, and Rafiqui, causing significant damage still unacknowledged by Islamabad.

The operation triggered four days of intense cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles, and artillery.

With inputs from agencies

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