A prominent Chinese expert has strongly rejected recent claims by India about shooting down Pakistani fighter jets. Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute, called the statements by Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh “self-amusement” and “unconvincing.”
Prof. Cheng said the Indian claims lacked solid evidence. He added that these allegations have been widely questioned by the international community and seen as groundless.
“No Pakistani fighter jet was hit or destroyed by the Indian side,” he said. Instead, Cheng stated Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets and damaged Indian S-400 air defense positions during the May conflict.
The Indian Air Chief Marshal had said India downed at least five Pakistani fighters and one large surveillance plane. He claimed India’s Russian-made S-400 missile system was behind most of the kills, citing electronic tracking data. However, no photos or radar evidence were shared to support these claims.
Cheng’s remarks came after India’s statement at a Bengaluru event. The Indian air chief did not specify the types of Pakistani jets that were allegedly downed.
He also claimed airstrikes targeted surveillance planes and some parked F-16 fighters at air bases in Sindh and Punjab.
The Chinese expert described the Indian air chief’s remarks as “comical” and questioned their timing, as they came three months after the border conflict. Prof. Cheng emphasized that the facts show Pakistan’s air force scored notable successes.
In May, Pakistan said it shot down five Indian planes in air combat, later raising the number to six. India admitted to air losses but denied losing six aircraft. The ongoing dispute over these claims continues to stir tensions between the two neighbors.
Overall, the Chinese expert’s comments challenge India’s version of events and highlight the differing narratives around the May conflict.\
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