India says changed tactics worked well in conflict with Pakistan

India switched tactics after initial air losses in the first day of its three‑day May conflict with Pakistan, according to its chief of defense staff in an interview on May 31 at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore. A ceasefire was declared after intense conflict involving jets and missiles. The heaviest fighting in decades between nuclear‑armed India and Pakistan was sparked by an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on terrorists backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. In response on May 7, India struck what it called terrorist infrastructure sites across the border. Pakistan said it downed six Indian planes. General Anil Chauhan confirmed India suffered initial air losses but did not give specifics. He said India rectified tactics and then launched large‑scale strikes on the 7th, 8th, and 10th, hitting bases deep inside Pakistan and penetrating defenses with impunity. The Pakistan military said India did not fly its fighter jets again. Both sides said nuclear weapons were never considered. The Indian government would respond decisively to any further terror attacks from Pakistan.