Trump Says Five Jets Likely Downed in India–Pakistan Clashes, Reiterates Ceasefire Role
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that up to five fighter jets were shot down during the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan, sparked by an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead.
Speaking at a dinner with Republican lawmakers on Friday, Trump said, “Planes were being shot out of the air. Five—four or five—but I think five jets were shot down actually.”
The hostilities escalated after India accused Pakistan-based militants of carrying out the attack, a claim Islamabad has denied. In response, Indian forces launched airstrikes on May 7 against what they called “terrorist infrastructure” across the border, triggering a brief but intense exchange that included dogfights, missile strikes, drone attacks, and artillery fire.
Pakistan has consistently claimed it downed five Indian jets during the conflict. While India has not officially confirmed the number of aircraft lost, when questioned by Bloomberg in June about Pakistani claims of six downed jets, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, responded cryptically: “What is important is why they went down,” implying losses without providing specifics.
India has also claimed it damaged or downed Pakistani aircraft. Islamabad denies losing any planes but acknowledged damage to multiple airbases.
A ceasefire was reached on May 10.
Trump has taken credit for facilitating the truce, stating that U.S. pressure on both sides helped de-escalate tensions. However, India has rejected this version, asserting that the ceasefire resulted from direct bilateral communication with Pakistan, without any foreign mediation.
