In a significant escalation of the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has reportedly downed several Indian fighter jets, including a Dassault Rafale, during intense aerial engagements over the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. This marks one of the most severe confrontations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in recent years.
India denies that five of its fighter jets were shot down by Pakistan in the early morning of May 7.
The Indian Embassy in China has refuted a post on social media X by Chinese newspaper Global Times that claimed Pakistan had shot down an Indian fighter jet. The Indian Embassy called it “false information”.
“Dear Global Times, we urge you to verify facts and check sources before reporting fake news. Some pro-Pakistan channels are spreading baseless claims in the context of Operation Sindoor. When media outlets share such information without verifying the sources, it reflects serious irresponsibility,” the Indian Embassy wrote.
This is India’s first comment after the Global Times reported that the Pakistan Air Force shot down a series of Indian fighter jets when the country conducted airstrikes on targets in Pakistani territory in the early morning of May 7.
The Pakistani military claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three French-made Rafales, one Su-30 and one Russian-made MiG-29. If the information is confirmed, this would be the first time a Rafale fighter jet has been shot down in combat conditions.
A senior French intelligence official confirmed that Pakistan had shot down a Rafale and that France was investigating whether any others had been shot down.
Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar said the country’s military used Chinese-made aircraft to shoot down five Indian fighter jets early on May 7 after Indian airstrikes in Pakistan killed at least 31 people.
“Our J-10C fighter jets shot down three French Rafale jets and other jets,” Dar said.
Asked about Mr Dar’s comments, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said he was not familiar with the situation and had not seen “any relevant information”.
China is Pakistan’s main arms supplier, accounting for 81 percent of Pakistan’s arms imports over the past five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
On May 7, Beijing called on both sides to cool tensions. China also said it “expressed regret over India’s military action against Pakistan.”
The J-10C is a single-engine fighter jet manufactured by Chinese state-owned company Avic Chengdu Aircraft.
The J-10 entered service with the Chinese air force in the early 2000s, but the latest version, the J-10C, has improved weapons systems and is classified as a 4.5 generation fighter, one step below 5th generation stealth aircraft like China’s J-20 or the US F-35.
The Aerial Clash: A Historic Dogfight
On May 7, 2025, Indian and Pakistani fighter jets engaged in a prolonged aerial battle lasting over an hour. According to reports, the PAF successfully shot down three Indian aircraft: a Rafale, a MiG-29, and a Su-30MKI. The Rafale’s loss is particularly notable, as it is the first time the advanced French-made jet has been downed in combat. Pakistan claims that its Chinese-made Chengdu J-10 fighter jets were responsible for these victories .Wikipedia
Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, confirmed the downing of the jets and identified Squadron Leader Hassan Siddiqui and Wing Commander Nauman Ali Khan as the pilots behind the successful interceptions . The Indian Air Force has not officially confirmed these losses, maintaining that it successfully neutralized Pakistani drone and missile threats.Hindustan TimesReuters
Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliatory Strikes
The aerial engagements followed India’s Operation Sindoor, a series of missile strikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. India claims these sites were linked to groups responsible for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Pakistan, however, denies any involvement in the attack and condemns India’s retaliatory strikes as acts of aggression .Reuters+5Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5
Civilian Impact and International Concerns
The escalating conflict has led to significant civilian casualties on both sides. Pakistan reports at least 31 civilian deaths, while India confirms 16. The violence has disrupted daily life, with schools closed, flights suspended, and widespread panic in border regions. International leaders, including U.S. President Trump and the United Nations, have called for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation .Latest news & breaking headlines+2AP News+2Reuters+2Wikipedia+4Reuters+4AP News+4
The Path Forward
As both nations continue to exchange hostilities, the international community watches closely, urging both sides to de-escalate tensions and return to diplomatic negotiations. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further military engagements or diplomatic breakthroughs in the coming days.
For more detailed coverage and updates on this developing story, refer to the latest reports from Reuters and The Guardian.Reuters+1The Guardian+1
