Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh claimed on Friday that his country had downed five Pakistani fighter jets—F-16 and JF-17 models—during the intense fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in May. Singh made these assertions at the Indian Air Force’s annual press conference, stating that the air defense systems had confirmed the downing of the jets. However, he did not provide any concrete evidence to support his claim.
This is not the first time Singh has made such claims; he had previously alleged the destruction of Pakistani aircraft without offering credible proof. This time, he identified the specific models of the jets involved. Singh did not comment on the loss of Indian jets during the conflict.
The Indian air chief’s claims have been met with skepticism. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed them as “implausible” and criticized the timing of these assertions. He pointed out that India had not made any such claims for months after the conflict ended, while Pakistan had promptly provided detailed briefings and presented evidence to international media. Asif also highlighted that independent sources, including world leaders and foreign intelligence assessments, acknowledged the loss of multiple Indian aircraft, including Rafales.
The conflict, which occurred in May, was triggered by an attack on Hindu tourists in occupied Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan, despite lacking evidence. Pakistan has denied any involvement, calling India’s account of events “fabricated.” The fighting escalated over four days, with both sides using fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery. Afterward, a ceasefire was agreed upon.
Pakistan initially claimed to have downed six Indian jets, including a French-made Rafale. India acknowledged “some losses,” but denied that six jets were shot down. Following the conflict, the two nations’ relations have soured, with trade, travel, and sports ties severely impacted. Additionally, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a move Pakistan condemned as an “act of war.”
This ongoing exchange of conflicting claims adds to the tension between the two nations, and both sides continue to hold differing narratives of the May conflict.
