India Claims It Downed Five Pakistani Fighter Jets in May Conflict – Air Force Chief | 3 October 2025

India Claims It Downed Five Pakistani Fighter Jets in May Conflict, Says Air Force Chief

India’s Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on 3 October 2025 claimed that during the May confrontation between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down five Pakistani fighter jets, including F-16s and JF-17s. Speaking at a ceremony in New Delhi on the occasion of Air Force Day, he said the action was part of “Operation Sindoor,” launched on 7 May in response to an incident in Kashmir. According to the Air Chief, the IAF not only destroyed Pakistani fighter aircraft but also struck several military installations, including radar stations, command-and-control centers, two runways, and three hangars. He further stated that a long-range strike was carried out nearly 300 kilometers inside Pakistani territory, describing it as one of the IAF’s most significant operations to date.

Air Chief Singh also claimed that India targeted and destroyed a major Pakistani aircraft, possibly a C-130 or an intelligence and surveillance platform, and insisted there was evidence of its destruction. He dismissed Pakistan’s counterclaims as baseless, stating that Islamabad regularly makes exaggerated allegations about downing Indian aircraft without presenting any proof. He added that if Pakistan truly shot down Indian jets, it should provide concrete evidence to the international community.

The remarks come amid earlier reports suggesting that India had downed six Pakistani aircraft in the May clashes, including a larger plane, but the Air Chief specifically confirmed the destruction of five fighter jets. He emphasized that the operation placed Pakistan under pressure to quickly agree to a ceasefire.

Pakistan, however, has strongly rejected India’s assertions. Islamabad maintains that none of its aircraft were lost in the May confrontation and accused New Delhi of fabricating claims for domestic political reasons. Pakistani officials argue that if India’s statements were accurate, it would have presented verified evidence to back them up.

This dispute highlights the continuing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who have long accused each other of airspace violations and aggressive military actions. So far, no independent international body or neutral observer has verified either side’s claims, leaving the matter unresolved and subject to political narratives. Nevertheless, the Air Chief’s latest remarks have reignited debate over military balance in the region and underscored the volatility of India-Pakistan relations.