Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari has claimed that Indian pilots shot down five Pakistani fighter jets — including F-16 and JF-17 class aircraft — during aerial confrontations along the Line of Control (LoC) in May 2025.
Addressing the media ahead of Air Force Day, Chaudhari stated that the IAF “responded with precision and restraint” to “provocative maneuvers” by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
“Our radar and combat data confirm the destruction of five adversary aircraft. Not a single Indian asset was lost in the operation,” he said.
The announcement has drawn significant attention, marking one of India’s strongest claims of aerial victory in recent years.
However, the Pakistan Air Force swiftly rejected the statement, calling it “completely false and misleading.” A PAF spokesperson said no aircraft were lost during May and accused New Delhi of using “fabricated claims for political and military propaganda.”
Independent defense analysts have called for the release of radar logs or satellite imagery to verify either side’s statements, noting that both countries have a history of making unverified military claims amid regional tensions.
⚔️ Rising Tensions
Reports of increased aerial activity along the LoC emerged in May 2025, with both India and Pakistan accusing each other of airspace violations. The situation raised fears of another escalation similar to the 2019 Balakot crisis.
India’s claim comes as the country prepares for Air Force Day celebrations, with the IAF emphasizing modernization and combat readiness amid regional security challenges.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office, meanwhile, called the Indian statement “provocative and baseless,” urging restraint and dialogue to avoid further instability in South Asia.
