U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed that up to five fighter jets downed during the latest military confrontation between India and Pakistan. This conflict began after a militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April 2025, which killed 26 Indian paramilitary personnel.
Trump, speaking at a White House dinner with Republican lawmakers, 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 specify which country’s aircraft were targeted.
The confrontation led to intense aerial strikes, drone warfare, and artillery exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan claims to have downed six Indian aircraft during the three-day standoff, including three Rafale fighter jets, one MiG-29, one Sukhoi SU-30, and one Israeli-made Heron surveillance drone. According to Pakistan’s military, these jets were attempting to strike Pakistani targets but were intercepted before they could cross into Pakistani airspace.
Following the losses, shares of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jets, saw a 6% drop on May 7, 2025. Market analysts suggest the loss of such advanced jets in a real combat situation could hurt the company’s reputation and attract geopolitical scrutiny, particularly regarding arms sales in South Asia.
India, on the other hand, has denied the loss of aircraft but claimed that a few Pakistani planes were downed during the engagement. No official confirmation or evidence has been provided by India’s military regarding these claims.
Despite conflicting reports on aircraft losses, the military standoff ultimately led to a ceasefire on May 10, 2025. President Trump took credit for the ceasefire, claiming U.S. intervention helped prevent the situation from escalating into a larger conflict. India, however, has rejected Trump’s assertion, stating that any resolution with Pakistan must be reached bilaterally, without third-party mediation.
Washington condemned the April militant attack but avoided directly blaming Pakistan, calling for a neutral investigation into the incident. India accused Pakistan of harboring the militants, a charge Islamabad denied, calling it “baseless” and demanding an international probe.
The downing of jets and the subsequent tensions have further escalated the ongoing conflict, with both countries remaining at odds over Kashmir.
In other news, reports suggest that Donald Trump may visit Pakistan in September. Stay updated with us on the latest developments
