Islamabad: Air Marshal (R) Masood Akhtar, a defence analyst, has commended Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif for challenging the recent claims made by the Indian Air Chief. Following the skirmishes that occurred in May, Asif proposed that both India and Pakistan open their aircraft inventories for independent verification. He suggested that such transparency would reveal the truth behind the assertions made by the Indian side. However, Akhtar expressed skepticism, noting that India is unlikely to accept such an offer as it might expose the reality they wish to conceal.

According to Radio Pakistan, Akhtar argued that the statements from the Indian Air Chief were made in the context of the upcoming Indian Independence Day on August 15, where the Indian government traditionally awards medals to its air force personnel. He suggested that these claims were part of an attempt to bolster the government’s narrative of success in the conflict with Pakistan. The Modi government has faced backlash domestically, wi
th both the public and opposition parties criticizing its propaganda. There is growing pressure on the Indian Air Chief, with some calling for his resignation.

Akhtar highlighted that the international community, especially countries with advanced air forces, are eager to participate in joint drills with Pakistan following its perceived victory. He criticized the lack of evidence provided by the Indian Air Force to support their claims, pointing out that an Indian newspaper, The Hindu, initially showed wreckage of three Indian fighter jets but later retracted the images. Akhtar accused the Modi government of damaging the Indian Air Force’s credibility by using it to regain lost popularity, highlighting the controversial awarding of medals to Abhinandan Varthaman, whose jet was downed by the Pakistan Air Force.