ThePrint CutTheClutter: Op Sindoor, India-Pakistan wars of 1965 & 1971: Uncovering facts of aerial combat, evolving IAF role
Sep 2, 2025
PVS Jagan Mohan, an aviation historian and co-author of influential books on India-Pakistan aerial warfare, shares his insights on the complexities of war narratives. He discusses the challenges of uncovering historical truths amidst conflicting claims, especially regarding the 1965 and 1971 wars. The conversation delves into the evolving role of the Indian Air Force, the intricacies of documenting military history, and the importance of bridging narratives between India and Pakistan. Jagan's experiences reveal the personal and professional motivations behind preserving this vital history.
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Contrasting IAF And PAF Doctrines
- The India-Pakistan air doctrines differ: PAF is risk-averse and focuses on ambushes and kill-counts.
- IAF prioritizes strategic results and accepts greater operational risk to win wars overall.
Long Remote Research For Detailed Air-War Books
- Jagan described writing detailed, data-heavy books on 1965 and 1971 air wars with tail numbers and pilot lists.
- He recounted researching for years and collaborating remotely with co-author Samir Chopra.
Eight Years To Unpack 1965 Air War
- Jagan explained the book on 1965 began from puzzlement after reading Air Chief Marshal Lal's account.
- He spent about eight years researching the India-Pakistan air war before publication.
