In a major revelation, India’s Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, has claimed that Indian forces shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one additional military aircraft during clashes in May 2025. This marks the first public statement from India regarding aerial combat during what has been described as the most serious military confrontation with Pakistan in decades.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal Singh said that most of the Pakistani aircraft were destroyed by India’s Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile system, with electronic tracking data confirming the hits.
“The majority of these aircraft were downed by the S-400 system, and the tracking data clearly confirms this,” Singh stated.
Pakistan Rejects Claim
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif swiftly dismissed the statement, saying India had not destroyed a single Pakistani aircraft. The rejection reflects the continued tensions and information disputes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
International Context
The United States had earlier said it was unaware of any US-made fighter jets being destroyed in the May clashes, raising questions about the type and origin of aircraft involved.
The incident comes amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan, with both sides accusing each other of provocations and violations along the border.
Significance
If confirmed, this would be one of the largest single-day losses for the Pakistani Air Force in recent history and a notable demonstration of India’s air defence capabilities. The use of the S-400 missile system—considered among the most advanced in the world—also highlights India’s growing strategic deterrence.
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