Six Pakistani aircraft allegedly brought down during the May conflict, claims India's air force chief Amar Preet Singh, attributing the downing to India's advanced S-400 air defense systems. Pakistan, however, denies this assertion.
In a significant development, Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed on Saturday that India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one large military aircraft during the May 2025 conflict. The large aircraft is believed to be a surveillance plane, and the kill was achieved at a distance of about 300 km, marking the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill by India.
However, India did not confirm the downing of any specific Pakistani F-16 fighter jets in this public statement. The confirmation referred generically to "fighter jets" without specifying models. Pakistan operates US-made F-16s, but the Indian air chief did not specify the types of jets downed.
Pakistan has strongly denied any losses of its aircraft, including F-16s, and claimed it shot down six Indian jets (including Rafales) during the same conflict. Pakistan’s defense minister rejected the Indian claims as fabrications, maintaining that no Pakistani aircraft were hit or destroyed.
| Claim | Indian Confirmation | Pakistani Response | |-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | 5 Pakistani fighter jets shot down | Confirmed by Air Chief Marshal Singh | Denied | | 1 large Pakistani military aircraft downed| Confirmed (likely surveillance plane)| Denied | | Specific F-16 Pakistani fighters downed | Not confirmed by India | Denied |
India's S-400 air defence systems were responsible for taking down most of the Pakistani aircraft, according to Singh. He also claimed that half of the F-16 hangar at the Shahbaz Jacobabad airbase in Sindh province was destroyed.
Since declaring a ceasefire in May, intermittent fighting has continued in the India-administered Kashmir district of Kulgam. India accuses Pakistan of backing some armed groups in the region. Pakistan, on the other hand, provides only diplomatic support to the Kashmiris' struggle for self-determination.
References:
- Indian Express
- The Hindu
- Al Jazeera
- Dawn
- Despite Pakistan's denial, Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh states that India's S-400 air defense systems played a significant role in downing most of the Pakistani aircraft during the May 2025 conflict.
- Both India and Pakistan are engaged in a war-and-conflicts-related conflict, with ongoing skirmishes reported in the India-administered Kashmir district of Kulgam since the May ceasefire declaration.
- The breaking news of the downing of five Pakistani fighter jets and one large military aircraft by India is causing a stir in the world of general-news and politics, with each country providing contrasting reports on the incidents.
