China Confirms It Sent Technical Teams To Support Pakistan During Operation Sindoor
China has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that its personnel provided on-ground technical support to Pakistan during last year’s military confrontation with India, widely referred to in India as Operation Sindoor.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Chinese engineers linked to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) revealed in an interview with China’s state broadcaster China Central Television that they were deployed at Pakistani air bases during the conflict.
The admission is being seen as a significant development because it marks Beijing’s first official confirmation of direct operational support to Pakistan during a military standoff with India.
The tensions had escalated after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 last year, in which 26 people lost their lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian officials had stated that more than 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were eliminated during the strikes.
One of the Chinese engineers, Zhang Heng, described the tense atmosphere at the support base, recalling the constant sound of fighter jets and air-raid sirens. He said the conditions were physically and mentally exhausting, with temperatures nearing 50°C.
Pakistan’s Air Force currently operates Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets, and the Chinese team reportedly worked to ensure the aircraft performed effectively during the conflict. Another engineer, Xu Da, said the success of the aircraft in combat did not surprise the team because they had confidence in its capabilities.
The revelations have once again highlighted the deep military ties between China and Pakistan. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pakistan remains China’s largest arms buyer, receiving billions of dollars worth of military equipment over the past decade.
Indian military officials had earlier claimed that nearly 81 percent of Pakistan’s military hardware is of Chinese origin. Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh had previously stated that China appeared to be using Pakistan as a “live lab” to test its military technology and weapon systems under real combat conditions.
He also noted that the India-Pakistan confrontation demonstrated how closely China and Pakistan coordinate in defence matters, especially in areas involving surveillance systems, aircraft and military intelligence support.
The developments are expected to further intensify strategic concerns in New Delhi as India continues to strengthen its military preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
