On July 18, 2025, during a dinner at the White House with Republican lawmakers, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that five fighter jets were shot down during the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan. While discussing the conflict that followed the Pahalgam incident, Trump said, “Planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually.” However, he did not clarify whether the aircraft were Indian or Pakistani, nor did he offer any further specifics.
The conflict in question began after a deadly attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, where at least 26 people were killed. The attack triggered a rapid escalation in tensions, with both India and Pakistan engaging in air and ground exchanges. India launched airstrikes under what it called “Operation Sindoor,” reportedly targeting militant infrastructure in Pakistani territory. This led to a major aerial engagement involving over 100 fighter jets from both sides, making it one of the most significant air battles in South Asia’s history.
Pakistan claimed it successfully shot down five Indian jets, including at least one Rafale, a MiG‑29, and several other fighter aircraft. These claims were supported by statements from Pakistani military officials and were widely circulated by the media in Pakistan. Islamabad also released what it said was radar footage and communication intercepts to support its claims. The Pakistani Air Force, particularly its JF-17 and Chinese J-10C jets, were said to have played a central role in these encounters.
India, on the other hand, acknowledged that it lost some aircraft in the early stages of the conflict but did not confirm the number. Indian military leadership stated that tactical adjustments were made after the initial losses, and by the third day of hostilities, they had established air superiority. India denied that any Rafale jets were shot down, although independent sources, including Western defense analysts, indicated at least one may have been lost. Indian sources said that the situation was stabilized quickly and a ceasefire was reached by May 10.
Trump’s comments stirred reactions on both sides. In Pakistan, his remarks were seen as a validation of Islamabad’s claims, with media outlets highlighting them as proof of Indian losses. In India, opposition leaders used the remarks to criticize the Modi government, accusing it of downplaying the extent of losses and compromising national security for diplomatic optics. The Congress party questioned whether India’s honor had been traded away in exchange for favorable diplomatic relations.
Several international defense analysts supported the notion that around four to five Indian jets were likely shot down, citing imagery, satellite tracking, and insider military leaks. U.S. and French defense sources confirmed that at least one Rafale may have been downed, possibly by a Chinese-made PL-15 missile launched from a Pakistani J-10C. The use of electronic warfare and advanced jamming systems during the battles was also highlighted as a significant factor.
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Following the air combat, both sides agreed to a ceasefire under intense international pressure. While Trump suggested that his administration helped mediate the ceasefire, Indian officials denied any external involvement, insisting that the decision was reached through direct military-to-military communication. The agreement helped prevent further escalation but left many questions unanswered regarding the true cost and details of the aerial engagement.
The air battles in May 2025 marked the most serious India-Pakistan confrontation since the 2019 Balakot incident. This time, however, the scale of air-to-air combat and missile engagement was significantly higher. Although open war was avoided, the hostilities demonstrated the volatility of the region and how quickly a localized incident can spiral into a full-blown military crisis involving advanced fighter jets, drones, and long-range missiles.
The lack of transparent and independently verifiable data from both countries has made it difficult to assess the full scale of losses. While Trump’s statement adds weight to Pakistan’s narrative, the absence of detailed proof and official disclosures continues to cloud the true picture of what transpired in the skies over South Asia.