This admission comes over three months after the operation, amid increasing domestic pressure for the government to address its silence concerning the Indian military’s actions.
Reports indicate that Pakistan has verified over 50 deaths due to the attacks, including Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, who died in the bombing of Bholari airbase.
This confirmation was made during an annual awards event at the President’s House in Islamabad. On August 14, coinciding with Pakistan’s Independence Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented honors to the deceased personnel.
The Tamgha-i-Basalat was posthumously awarded to Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, Havaldar Muhammad Naveed, Naik Waqar Khalid, and Lance Naik Dilawar Khan. Additionally, Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Ikramullah, and Sepoy Adeel Akbar were recipients of the Tamgha-i-Jurat.
Nevertheless, various reports indicate that Pakistan’s internal citations and gallantry awards highlight severe losses sustained in the operation, with up to 146 posthumous medals given to personnel who fell in the Indian strikes—a number significantly higher than publicly acknowledged—which prompted the Pakistan DGMO to urgently pursue a ceasefire.