*New Delhi, August 9, 2025* — Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air ChiefMarshal Rajesh Vardhan is facing mounting criticism after claiming that theIAF successfully shot down five Pakistani fighter jets during a skirmishearlier this year — without presenting any evidence to back the statement.The remarks, made during a recent press interaction, have triggered a waveof skepticism and backlash on social media, where users have questioned thetiming, credibility, and intent of the declaration.
The alleged aerial encounter, which reportedly took place in May 2025 nearthe Line of Control, had not been officially acknowledged until now. In hisstatement, the Air Chief described it as a “precise and bold” operation,asserting that Indian pilots “neutralized five Pakistani jets that violatedIndian airspace.” However, no satellite imagery, radar data, wreckageevidence, or third-party verification was presented to corroborate theclaim — even after more than three months since the incident allegedlyoccurred.
The lack of transparency has drawn sharp responses online. Social mediausers, including defense analysts, veterans, and journalists, havecriticized the IAF leadership for what many are calling a publicity stunt.”Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” posted one user on X(formerly Twitter), while another remarked, “Boasting without proof damagescredibility more than silence ever could.”
Some commentators have also drawn parallels to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes,which similarly faced scrutiny due to limited publicly available evidencedespite official assertions of success. Critics argue that repeating suchclaims without presenting concrete proof risks eroding public trust andinternational credibility.
In response to the criticism, an IAF spokesperson stated that operationalsecrecy and national security concerns often limit the release of visual ortechnical evidence. “We stand by the Chief’s statement. The operation wassuccessful and well-documented internally,” the spokesperson said,declining to elaborate further.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military has categorically denied the claim, callingit “fabricated and baseless,” and accusing India of trying to divertattention from domestic issues. “No such incident took place,” aspokesperson for the Pakistan Air Force said in a statement. “This isnothing but a desperate attempt at media manipulation.”
With pressure mounting, calls are growing for the Indian government toeither release evidence or clarify the situation to prevent further damageto the IAF’s credibility. As the debate intensifies, the episode hasreignited discussions around military transparency, media responsibility,and the fine line between strategic messaging and misinformation.