Defense analyst suggests that the Indian Air Force chief's announcement of shooting down a Pakistani aircraft might have been under duress.
In May this year, a days-long war erupted between India and Pakistan, following India's attack inside Pakistan, weeks after blaming Pakistan for an attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that claimed 26 lives.
The ceasefire between the two nations was reached after a series of attacks involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery. However, the accuracy of the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief's claims about downing Pakistani aircraft during the dogfight is disputed.
Indian Air Force Chief Claims
The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, claimed India shot down at least five Pakistani fighter jets and a large surveillance aircraft during Operation Sindoor. He stated these were shot down by Indian S-400 long-range air defence systems at distances exceeding 300 km, describing it as “the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill.”
India also claimed damaging Pakistani air force bases, partially destroying an F-16 hangar, and taking control of some Pakistani radar and command centers.
Pakistani Response
Pakistan has denied losing any aircraft during the operation, describing Indian claims as implausible and strategically unconvincing. Pakistani military officials have consistently asserted shooting down five or six Indian fighter jets during the clashes, supported by squadron claims and official statements from the PAF and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Context and Verification Issues
Both sides claim significant aerial victories, but there is a lack of independent, third-party verification of these shootdowns. The conflict involved over 100 aircraft and complex engagements lasting over an hour, with neither side crossing the border according to some sources.
Pakistan denies Indian claims that it destroyed Pakistani air defense systems like the S-400 or AEW&C platforms, maintaining all assets remained operational.
Summarising the Dispute
In summary, Indian claims emphasise successful long-range missile kills of Pakistani aircraft and infrastructure, while Pakistan firmly denies any aircraft losses and claims multiple Indian jet shootdowns. Independent verification remains unavailable, leaving the truth unresolved amid conflicting national narratives.
The Pakistani defense analysts and officials strongly dispute Indian assertions and maintain their own version of successful interceptions and damage infliction on Indian aircraft. The controversy continues, with both sides presenting contradictory accounts and no definitive evidence to support their claims.
- The dispute over the number of aircraft shot down during the May war-and-conflicts between India and Pakistan continues, with the Indian Air Force Chief claiming the downing of at least five Pakistani fighter jets and a large surveillance aircraft, while Pakistan denies any losses and asserts shooting down multiple Indian fighter jets.
- Amidst the political (politics) general-news, both India and Pakistan have made credit (assertions) of significant aerial victories during the May conflict, but there is a risk (lack of independent, third-party verification) of these shootdowns being verified, leaving the truth unresolved amid conflicting national narratives.
- In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, claimed India's S-400 long-range air defence systems were responsible for downing Pakistani aircraft at distances exceeding 300 km, a claim that is disputed by Pakistan, which argues that all its air defense systems, including the S-400, remained operational during the war.
