In a significant revelation, a top Indian Army officer has said that China gave real-time help to Pakistan during the recent military clash with India, called Operation Sindoor. 

Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh shared that China was closely tracking Indian Air Force jets and passed on that information to the Pakistan Air Force, helping them know India's exact moves during the conflict.

Chinese ISR Support Saved Key JF-17 Site from IAF Strike

In a surprising statement, Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), revealed that China gave real-time intelligence to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during a recent military conflict with India, called Operation Sindoor.

Speaking at a defence technology event organized by FICCI, Lt Gen Singh said that China used its advanced surveillance systems to monitor the movements of Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets. 

This data was then shared with the PAF, helping them track the IAF's actions with great accuracy.

He shared that during talks between the top military officers of India and Pakistan (DGMO-level talks), the Pakistani officer surprisingly mentioned details about specific Indian fighter jets that were ready for attack. 

According to Lt Gen Singh, the Pakistani side said things like: "We know that a particular IAF vector (flight path or aircraft) is ready to strike. We request you not to go ahead with it." 

This showed that Pakistan had real-time knowledge of IAF operations - something that would have only been possible through outside help, likely from China.

One major incident involved China warning Pakistan about an Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet that was reportedly carrying a BrahMos-A missile and preparing to strike the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra. 

This site is essential because it's where Pakistan, along with China, builds the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. It also has radar, avionics, and missile facilities, making it a high-value target during war.

Thanks to China's warning, the PAF knew about the planned strike. 

During military talks, Pakistan requested India not to attack Kamra. As a result, the IAF reportedly cancelled the planned strike. 

This happened around May 10, 2025, when both sides agreed to a ceasefire after four days of fighting.

This incident clearly shows how deep the military ties between China and Pakistan have grown, especially in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). 

Media reports and social media posts during Operation Sindoor had already pointed out that China was giving Pakistan satellite images and real-time updates, which helped the PAF monitor IAF fighter movements, including powerful jets like the Su-30MKI, which carried BrahMos missiles.

Operation Sindoor began on May 7, 2025, as a response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed. 

India launched targeted airstrikes on terror camps and Pakistani military bases. 

The IAF hit key airfields like Nur Khan, Sargodha, and Bholari using high-precision weapons like the BrahMos missile, SCALP-EG, and Spice-2000 bombs.

During the operation, the IAF reportedly destroyed several Pakistani military assets, including:

• 3 JF-17 Thunder jets

• 2 Mirage III/V jets

• 1 F-16 fighter jet

• 1 Saab 2000 Erieye airborne warning system

• 1 C-130B transport aircraft

The Pakistani DGMOs' request to avoid hitting Kamra — combined with their knowledge of IAF movements — strongly suggests that China's intelligence systems were crucial to Pakistan's defence. 

This growing China-Pakistan military partnership poses a significant challenge for India, mainly as it deals with threats on both its western and eastern borders.

Pakistan is also increasingly using Chinese military technology, like the JF-17 Block III and J-10C fighter jets, which are equipped with PL-15 long-range missiles, further showing China's growing role in South Asia's defence landscape.