150 days after the conflict with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force has repeated its claims of downing multiple enemy aircraft. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said that Indian jets destroyed five Pakistani fighters in May 2025. These included advanced F-16s and JF-17s.
The statement was made during the Indian Air Force’s annual day press conference. Singh said that India’s air defence systems confirmed the destruction of five jets. He added that the enemy aircraft were from the F-16 and JF-17 classes.
“The evidence with our system shows five fighters were destroyed,” Singh told reporters. He also referred to one long-range strike during the battle.
India’s Claims and Pakistan’s Response
The Indian Air Force claims have reignited debate. Singh demanded that Pakistan show proof if Indian aircraft were downed. But when asked about Indian losses, he declined to respond. His silence raised more questions.
Pakistan has rejected India’s version of events. The Pakistan Air Force had earlier announced that it destroyed seven Indian aircraft. During the war, it displayed wreckage of jets, which included Rafale and MiG-29 fighters.
Global Reaction to the Air Battle
Several international leaders also commented on the conflict. Former US President Donald Trump said Pakistan had shot down seven Indian jets. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the issue at the United Nations. He praised the PAF’s “falcons” for securing what he called a decisive victory.
India’s opposition leaders also questioned the official version. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief of Defense Staff Anil Chauhan raised concerns about missing Rafale jets. They demanded transparency from the government.
Evidence on the Ground
Images and videos of wreckage were widely shared during the conflict. In one instance, parts of Indian fighter jets were seen being transported on tractors. These images challenged India’s claim that it suffered no major losses.
Pakistan showcased evidence to support its claims, including wreckage and pilot gear. India, on the other hand, has not released visual proof of the alleged downing of Pakistani jets.
Ongoing Dispute Over Numbers
The Indian Air Force insists that five Pakistani aircraft were destroyed. But without evidence, the claims remain contested. Analysts argue that both sides are employing conflicting narratives to influence public opinion.
Defence experts also argue that the truth may never be fully known. Modern aerial battles are complex, and each side tightly controls the information. In such situations, facts often become blurred with propaganda.
The recent remarks by the Indian Air Force chief indicate that the issue is far from being resolved. Questions remain about the actual number of losses on both sides. The war of claims and counterclaims continues in political, media, and defence circles.
The conflict has also exposed the risk of escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbours. With both India and Pakistan refusing to back down, tensions could rise again.
For now, the Indian Air Force stands firm on its position that five Pakistani jets were downed in May. Pakistan, meanwhile, continues to highlight vidence of Indian losses. The debate shows no sign of ending soon.
