My quick analysis of the 27th and I could be very wrong since I have pieced this via multiple sources and other ideas here:
JF-17s are not capable of deploying the raptors as it is a datalinked system needing course correction via a dedicated WSO
@denel
15sq carried out the strikes with JF-17 escorting them and striking(presumed) across the border. F-16s provided both High and low altitude BARCAP(Barrier Combat Air Patrol) on our side with DA-20 support embedded. The idea being that once the guidance ships for the Raptor crossed in along with their escorts- the F-16s would act “defensively” to prevent Indian interceptors from engaging this flight and from breaching the LoC.
Indian AEW was completing the patrol( for some reason the Phalcons are either having servicibility issues or their local DRDO AEW is performing their primary duties) but their AEW asset was exiting its patrol racetrack circuit.
The Indians detected the strike only after it crossed the LoC and vectored their CAPs of SU-30s at us while scrambling the Migs at Srinagar since they were on Alert status- Su-30s do not have infrastructure to be forward deployed yet and unsuitable for interceptions at this point. Mig-29s are based towards central Punjab .
Indian coverage still showed them the strike package and higher BARCAP so they positioned their Su-30s accordingly and tried to focus on launching volleys of BVRs to put the higher BARCAP F-16s defensive while others would hunt the strike force.
As they approached the DA-20 and the ALQ-211 went alive and prevented them from getting a lock. Low level F-16s zoom climbed as well and soon the Flankers are facing BVR volleys instead of delivering them. One radar signature is reported to have disappeared from both the Erieye and F-16 sensors and hence presumed to have be shot down. Whether it was a kill or not and type depends upon wreckage or otherwise.
Concurrently, The Migs too were in the air, but as they were being vectored towards a target under jamming they encountered both F-16s rushing towards them from our side sending an AMRAAM while a JF-17 embedeed escort also engaged.
WC Abhinandan is chasing the target given to him by GCI before his comms are compromised but his wingman bugs out? (Did the wingman abandon his leader or was unaware that the flight lead has not heard the warnings)
By the time the Su-30s regroup(probably in stress and out of fuel- they do not fly with full fuel since full jets are actually terrible at maneuvering that well) and return.
No further interceptors are scrambled until PAF assets return which points to IAF GCI wanted to preserve assets from facing outnumbered odds or not having suitable replacements available.
@Knuckles @Bilal Khan 777 @Bilal Khan (Quwa) @Dazzler @araz @Tps43
@Windjammer