Bruh, I clearly recall reading that the Phalcons were not on station at the time. The PAF reportedly struck during a change of shift (between RTB and TO/arrival). The radar screen grabs shown to the media by the IAF were indeed generated by a Phalcon but one that scrambled later.
That's just Pakistani propaganda, just like we didn't have comm systems that some people are still buying today, never mind the fact that the BNET contract was signed a few days before Balakot happened, and that Indian jets had ODL already operational at the time.
A Phalcon was present from before things started to after things ended. Kashmir had 24/7 AWACS.
To your 2nd point, IAF Phalcons don't fly nearly as much as the transport fleet. Even so spares supply has been a major problem.
More propaganda. Spares problems was back in the 90s, after the SU fell. Later problems had to do with service life, not spares, and it's primarily due to engine shortage.
Phalcons come with new engines and always had spares.
At least the IAF has never complained about the availability of Phalcons. The IL-76s chosen for it were of good quality and extremely new compared to the older fleet of IL-76s.




