India Confirms Downing Six Pakistani Aircraft in May Conflict

India‘s Air Force Chief, Amar Preet Singh, has confirmed that India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one other military aircraft during the recent conflict in May. This announcement comes weeks after India’s military acknowledged that an unspecified number of its own jets were also shot down by Pakistan during the heaviest fighting in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

The conflict was triggered by an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam town on April 22, which killed 26 tourists. India accused Pakistan of supporting the armed groups behind the attack, while Pakistan denied any involvement and claimed to provide only diplomatic support to the Kashmiris’ struggle for self-determination.

According to Singh, India’s S-400 air defense systems took down most of the Pakistani aircraft. “We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft,” he said, adding that the large aircraft, which could have been a surveillance plane, was shot down at a distance of 300km. Singh praised the air defense systems, saying, “This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about. Our air defense systems have done a wonderful job.”

Singh did not specify the type of fighter jets downed but mentioned that air strikes also hit an additional surveillance plane and “a few F-16” fighters parked in hangars at two airbases in southeastern Pakistan. Half of the F-16 hangar at the Shahbaz Jacobabad airbase in Sindh province was destroyed.

Pakistan has previously denied that India downed any of its aircraft during the May 7-10 fighting. In contrast, Pakistan claimed to have downed six Indian military jets, including at least three Rafale fighters. However, an Indian military official described this claim as “absolutely incorrect”.

The conflict between India and Pakistan has a long history, with both countries claiming Kashmir in full but administering only parts of the Muslim-majority Himalayan territory. Armed groups in the India-administered portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989.

In the aftermath of the conflict, intermittent fighting has continued in the area between Indian troops and fighters. On Saturday, Indian officials reported that two Indian soldiers and a suspected fighter were killed late on Friday in the India-administered Kashmir district of Kulgam. According to Indian military officials, two soldiers were also injured.

The aerial engagement highlights the military capabilities of both nations, with India having approximately 700 aircraft in its air force, while Pakistan has around 500 aircraft. The Indian Air Force is considered more technologically advanced, with platforms like the Rafale and Tejas, while the Pakistan Air Force has a strong collaboration with China for its JF-17 jets.