RAWALPINDI - On the first anniversary of the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, a careful cross-reference analysis has confirmed the precise geographic locations where Pakistan Air Force fighter jets engaged and shot down Indian Air Force aerial assets during Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos.
Using satellite imagery, geolocation techniques, ground reports, and independent media verification, analysts have pinpointed the crash sites of multiple Indian aircraft, including Rafale fighter jets, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, and unmanned aerial systems. The evidence presents an undeniable record of India's catastrophic losses during the largest air battle since World War II.
Location: Bathinda district, Punjab, India (near Akliya Kurd / Aklian Kalan village)
Geographic Coordinates: 30°21'26.81"N 74°52'48.82"E
Relevance: This crash site is of exceptional significance as it marks the first-ever combat loss of a Dassault Rafale fighter jet anywhere in the world. The wreckage included a vertical stabilizer bearing the serial number BS001 and the word "Rafale," confirming the aircraft as the first Rafale EH delivered to the Indian Air Force, belonging to the 17 Golden Arrows Squadron.
| Evidence Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Tail Section | Recovered wreckage clearly shows "BS001" and "Rafale" markings |
| Engine Components | Snecma M88-2 engine parts identified at the crash site |
| Coordinates Verification | Side-by-side comparison of satellite imagery and ground photography |
| Eyewitness Accounts | Local villagers reported loud explosion and fireball; Indian Army cordoned off area and rapidly removed debris |
| Civilian Casualty | Govind (Haryana migrant worker) killed while recording video of the crash |
| Pilot Status | Pilot successfully ejected and was transported to a military hospital |
The Indian government has never officially acknowledged the loss of any Rafale fighter. However, the photographic evidence, eyewitness accounts, and independent aviation databases confirm this crash.
Using geolocation techniques, analysts have matched satellite imagery with ground-level photography to confirm the precise crash location. The images confirm the presence of:
Vertical stabilizer with serial number BS001 and Rafale identification
Agricultural fields characteristic of the Bathinda region
Proximity to Bhisiana Air Force Station (Indian Air Force base)
The coordinates place the crash site approximately 150 kilometers from the Pakistan border, confirming that the PAF was able to successfully engage Indian aircraft deep inside Indian territory-a capability India falsely claimed was beyond Pakistan's reach.
The recovered wreckage included:
| Component | Significance |
|---|---|
| Vertical stabilizer | Marked "BS001" and "Rafale" - positive identification |
| Snecma M88-2 engine parts | Confirms aircraft type (Rafale uses M88 engines) |
| Missile debris | PL-15 missile fragments identified, consistent with PAF kill chain |
| Ejection seat components | Russian-style seat, consistent with IAF Rafale |
This level of detail-combined with satellite imagery, eyewitness accounts, and independent verification-makes the Bathinda Rafale crash one of the most comprehensively documented aerial combat losses in modern military history.
Location: Near Bharadah Kalan and Kheri, Jammu and Kashmir (approximately 8 km from Line of Control)
Geographic Coordinates: 32°56'02.06"N 74°42'46.07"E
Relevance: This was the only Su-30MKI fighter shot down by the PAF during the conflict. The engagement took place during the night of May 6-7, 2025.
| Evidence Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Reported by | Aviation Safety Network; confirmed by multiple independent sources |
| Pilot Identification | Wing Commander Lalit Garg (Service No. 29690) & Flight Lieutenant Mundit Tewari (Service No. 36415) |
| Pilot Condition | Both ejected safely; parachutes (PSU-36 Series 4-3) recovered by local police |
| Eyewitness Accounts | Local residents reported seeing two parachutes descending |
| Treatment Facility | 170 Military Hospital, Akhnoor |
| Aircraft Type | Sukhoi Su-30MKI (twin-seat, twin-engine air superiority fighter) |
| Departure Airfield | Halwara Air Force Station |
The Aviation Safety Network (ASN), an internationally respected aircraft accident database, confirmed that the Su-30MKI was shot down by a Pakistani J-10C fighter using a PL-15 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile.
Location: Pampore / Pulwama district, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir
Relevance: Second confirmed Rafale loss, widely reported by international media including BBC and Reuters.
Coordinates: 33°58'13.67"N 74°59'26.17"E (approximate)
| Evidence Type | Details |
|---|---|
| International Coverage | BBC, Reuters, and other outlets confirmed crash |
| Local Witnesses | Farmers reported seeing jet on fire before impact |
| Debris | Wreckage scattered across agricultural fields |
| Indian Response | Military personnel quickly cordoned off area and removed debris |
BBC Verify traced the location and confirmed the authenticity of videos showing burning wreckage and Indian military personnel collecting debris.
Location: Anantnag district, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir
Relevance: Third confirmed Rafale loss.
| Evidence Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Security sources | Confirmed by PAF and independent sources |
| Local Reports | Eyewitness accounts of explosion and debris |
| Military Response | Indian Army quickly removed wreckage |
The official PAF tally of Indian aerial assets destroyed during the May 2025 conflict:
| S.No | Aircraft Type | Location of Crash | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dassault Rafale (BS001) | Bathinda, Punjab | Confirmed |
| 2 | Dassault Rafale (BS021) | Pampore/Pulwama, J&K | Confirmed |
| 3 | Dassault Rafale (BS022) | Anantnag, J&K | Confirmed |
| 4 | Dassault Rafale (BS027) | Undisclosed (confirmed by PAF) | Confirmed |
| 5 | Sukhoi Su-30MKI | Akhnoor, J&K | Confirmed |
| 6 | MiG-29UPG | Undisclosed sector | Confirmed |
| 7 | Mirage 2000 | Undisclosed sector | Confirmed |
| 8 | Heron UAV | Near Indian border | Confirmed |
The analysis was conducted using the following verification methods:
High-resolution satellite imagery of crash sites was compared with ground-level photography to confirm coordinates.
Using geographic landmarks visible in both satellite images and ground-level photographs, analysts pinpointed exact crash locations.
News reports from BBC, Reuters, and other international outlets were cross-referenced to confirm incidents.
The Aviation Safety Network (ASN) and other independent databases were consulted for aircraft loss records.
Local resident reports were mapped to specific geographic coordinates.
Videos and photographs posted on social media were geolocated and analyzed for authenticity.
This cross-reference analysis serves multiple strategic purposes:
The May 2025 conflict represents the largest air battle since World War II. Proper documentation of aircraft losses is essential for military historians and strategic analysts.
The analysis holds India accountable for its claims of "victory" in Operation Sindoor. The evidence shows catastrophic losses-not victory.
India's systematic effort to hide aircraft losses-including reclassifying combat deaths as "accidents" and suppressing media reports-is exposed by the geographic evidence.
The coordinates confirm that PAF fighter jets successfully engaged Indian aircraft deep inside Indian territory-contradicting Indian claims that its advanced jets were safe from Pakistani missiles.
Documenting crash sites and pilot identities is relevant for potential future legal proceedings regarding the conflict's initiation and conduct.
Despite the overwhelming evidence-satellite imagery, geolocated videos, eyewitness accounts, and international media confirmation-the Indian government has never officially acknowledged the scale of its losses.
What India has not explained:
Why wreckage of Rafale BS001 found near Bathinda if no Rafale was shot down?
Why Indian military removed debris overnight if the crash was an "accident"?
Why Indian media retracted reports of aircraft crashes under government pressure?
Why pilots Lalit Garg and Mundit Tewari were hospitalized if no Su-30MKI was lost?
Why five S-400 operators were killed if Pakistan did not strike the S-400?
The coordinates speak for themselves. The satellite imagery cannot be faked. The eyewitness accounts cannot all be coordinated.
India's silence is not denial. It is confession.
One year after the May 2025 conflict, the geographic evidence of India's aerial losses is undeniable. The coordinates 30°21'26.81"N 74°52'48.82"E (Bathinda) and 32°56'02.06"N 74°42'46.07"E (Akhnoor) will forever mark the spots where Indian Air Force pride-the Rafale and Su-30MKI-fell from the sky.
The Pakistan Air Force has proven its superiority. The Indian Air Force has proven its vulnerability. And the world has seen the evidence.
