Ohh Windy - you are still at it ? Its very amusing to see reactions , even after so many years- to a point that you all are trying self console yourselves "Bhai saab - IAF aise kaise kar sakti hain..ye saab jhoot hain"
Anyways here is the gist - we have cerebral journos who doesnt know difference between Tejas , F16 and JF17 - no seriously, you can check out reports and you will have photographs, videos which shows JF 17, F16 instead of Sukhoi or Tejas. You are expecting this lot to report and FACTUALLY report the exact figures ??? No seriously just give it a thought, before making mockery over here.
Here is my take on what would have happened.
IAF officer "We are planning excess of 10K sorties in Gaganshakti" . We will be carrying out surge operations in Western border during this phase.
Reporter - Gaganshakti will have excess of 10K sorties
Editor - Maaza nahi aa raha hain. Lets make this Pakistan centric
The next day headlines screams out "10K sorties in 3 days along western border"
By the way , you will never find official statements. Its always unnamed sources.
Anyways official press briefing has happened. Its 11k sorties , out of which 9K combat sorties. I am assuming majority of combat sorties happened in western border. And yes this is a stunning number ! in less than 10 days. While we are at it , here is official statement on serviceability ( see attached).
You dont need to be a einstein to figure this out. Its a tactic that Red army has used very efficiently. Overwhelm the enemy with every asset possible. Its ancient battlefield tactic - use numbers and in this quality as well to overwhelm opponent.