New Delhi, October 3, 2025: India’s Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has reignited a fresh controversy with new claims regarding the May 2025 aerial clash with Pakistan, asserting that the Indian Air Force (IAF) downed five Pakistani fighter jets, including JF-17s and F-16s.
Speaking at the IAF’s annual day press conference, Singh said: “As far as air defence part is concerned, we have evidence of one long-range strike… along with that five fighters, high-tech fighters between F-16 and JF-17 class, our system tells us.”
While insisting that Pakistan’s aircraft were destroyed, Singh offered no supporting evidence. Instead, he challenged Islamabad to “show pictures” if Indian jets had indeed been shot down. Asked directly about India’s own losses in the conflict, the air chief refused to comment, saying only, “I will not respond.”
The statement, delivered 150 days after the conflict, has drawn sharp criticism for ignoring widely reported Indian losses. The wreckage of Rafale and MiG-29 aircraft was circulated globally during the battle, while Pakistan’s military claimed its air force shot down seven Indian jets.
Pakistan’s account was echoed by several international voices. U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly stated that seven Indian aircraft were downed, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the United Nations that the PAF’s “falcons” had delivered a decisive victory.
Even within India, questions have persisted. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi have both raised concerns over “missing” Rafale jets, while the Modi government has remained silent.
Images of Indian fighter wreckage, including Rafales seen being carted away on tractors, were shared worldwide, undermining New Delhi’s official stance. Pakistan, meanwhile, displayed what it said was concrete evidence of its success, accusing India of hiding behind denials and “empty slogans.”
