PAF says it downed eight Indian aircraft during May 2025 clash

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force Deputy Chief of Air Staff Projects Air Vice Marshal Tariq Ghazi said on Wednesday that the PAF achieved an 8-0 result against the Indian Air Force during Marka-e-Haq, stating that at least eight Indian aircraft were brought down during the confrontation in May last year.

Ghazi shared the details at a press conference held on the first anniversary of the operation. Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan were also present at the briefing.

According to at the press conference, India launched what was described as an unprovoked attack on Pakistan on May 6-7 last year after an attack on tourists in Pahalgam town in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The conflict lasted 87 hours, during which, Ghazi said, Pakistan downed eight Indian fighter aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets, as well as dozens of drones. He said the fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours ended on May 10 under a ceasefire arrangement brokered by the United States.

Briefing on operation

Ghazi said the purpose of the briefing was to refresh memories about the operation, while also taking aim at the adversary’s shifting account of events, saying they are trying to understand what has happened.

He said PAF chief Zaheer Ahmad Sidhu led the development of the operational response and later personally oversaw the execution of the air force strategy during the confrontation.

Describing the force posture adopted at the time, Ghazi said the PAF immediately moved into what he called a defence and strong posture and maintained the highest level of alert, supported by full-spectrum monitoring that included surveillance of enemy communications.

We adopted a strong air defence posture to thwart any hostile adventure through combat air patrols, scrambles, and eyes on the sky all the time.

Ghazi said during the press conference.

He said the PAF integrated and operationalised its multi-domain assets during the operation, calling it the first time the force had implemented such an approach in warfare.

He further said the PAF observed aggressive deployments, including the placement of key assets and offensive weapon systems across the country along with concealed deployments. According to Ghazi, the air force kept watch on each and every move made by the Indian Air Force throughout the confrontation.

Aircraft listed in briefing

Giving a breakdown of the 8-0 claim, Ghazi said Pakistan shot down eight Indian aircraft: four Rafale jets, one Su-30, one MiG-29, one Mirage 2000, and one expensive multi-role unmanned aerial system.

He also said several other Indian aircraft were damaged during the confrontation to the extent that they could not be repaired afterwards.

The briefing was held as Pakistan marked one year since the military confrontation that, according to the officials present, ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.