Former US President Donald Trump has asserted that as many as five fighter jets were shot down during the intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan earlier this year. The two nuclear-armed neighbours narrowly avoided a full-scale war following what experts are calling one of the most severe escalations in decades.

During a closed-door dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump discussed the conflict and appeared to credit himself once again for helping to broker the eventual ceasefire. While offering no specifics on which country’s aircraft were hit, he remarked,
“Planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually.”

Cross-Border Conflict Turns Dangerous

The military clash unfolded in May following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on 22 April, which claimed the lives of 26 people, primarily Hindu pilgrims. India swiftly accused Pakistan of backing the assailants, a charge Islamabad firmly denied, calling instead for an independent inquiry.

In retaliation, India launched airstrikes on what it claimed were militant training camps within Pakistani territory. This triggered a sharp escalation, with both sides engaging in missile attacks, drone operations, and cross-border artillery fire.

Aerial Combat and Competing Claims

According to senior Indian defence officials, the initial phase of the conflict saw India suffer losses in the air, prompting a change in tactics. General Anil Chauhan, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, confirmed on 31 May that Indian aircraft were indeed lost but declined to disclose the exact number or type of jets involved.

Pakistan, meanwhile, claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets during an aerial battle, including a French-made Rafale — a claim disputed by Indian authorities. India stated that it had downed “a few” Pakistani aircraft, although Islamabad refuted those assertions. However, Pakistan did acknowledge that several of its air bases were targeted and damaged during the confrontation.

The dogfight, involving over 125 fighter jets from both nations, is being described as the largest aerial engagement since the Second World War.

Trump’s Ceasefire Claim — Disputed by India

On 10 May, Trump publicly announced that a ceasefire had been reached, crediting Washington’s diplomatic efforts. He has since taken credit over 60 times for what he sees as a successful intervention that helped de-escalate the situation.

However, India has pushed back strongly against that narrative. Officials in New Delhi have made it clear that the truce came through direct bilateral communication with Islamabad and was not the result of any foreign mediation. India has consistently maintained its stance that all disputes with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally and without outside interference.

Moreover, Indian authorities reportedly viewed Trump’s alleged threat to cut trade ties unless fighting ceased as an overstatement not aligned with actual events on the ground.

A Conflict Rooted in a Kashmir Tragedy

The military confrontation followed the 22 April terror attack in Kashmir, which India attributed to Pakistani-backed militants. The strike on Indian soil, targeting a group of mostly Hindu tourists, renewed longstanding tensions over the disputed Himalayan region.

Washington condemned the attack but refrained from placing direct blame on Pakistan, instead urging both sides to show restraint.

What began as targeted strikes escalated into an open exchange of fire along the Line of Control (LoC), including missile launches and drone raids on strategic installations — pushing South Asia to the brink of a potentially catastrophic war.

📌 Editorial Note

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