WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that up to five fighter jets were shot down during the recent India Pakistan hostilities 2025, sparked by a deadly militant attack in India-administered Kashmir in April. His remarks come months after a fragile ceasefire was announced on May 10, following days of intense aerial and ground combat between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Speaking during a private dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump said:
“In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five—five, four or five—but I think five jets were shot down actually.”
Trump did not clarify which country’s jets were downed or provide any specific details. However, his comments have reignited debate over the air conflict, during which both sides claimed victories and denied losses.
Aerial Clashes and Conflicting Claims
The hostilities began after an April 7 attack in Pulwama, which killed 26 Indian personnel. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a claim Islamabad has denied, calling instead for an independent international investigation.
In response, Indian Air Force jets launched airstrikes on alleged militant infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC) on May 7. The strikes led to a series of counterattacks involving fighter jets, drones, and artillery, resulting in dozens of military casualties.
Pakistan’s military claimed to have shot down five Indian jets during the engagement. However, India’s top general confirmed only initial air losses, stating that India had later adapted its aerial tactics and “gained upper hand” before the ceasefire.
India, meanwhile, claimed to have downed multiple Pakistani aircraft, a claim Islamabad has denied, although it acknowledged that some air bases sustained damage.
Trump Claims Credit for Ceasefire, India Disagrees
Trump has repeatedly claimed personal credit for brokering the May 10 ceasefire, stating that it was his intervention—through backchannel diplomatic pressure—that prevented a broader war.
“It was about to get much worse. But we stepped in and got them to stop,” Trump said on social media shortly after the truce.
However, New Delhi has disputed Trump’s assertions, maintaining that the decision to halt hostilities was reached bilaterally between India and Pakistan, without any third-party mediation.
“India and Pakistan must resolve their issues directly,” a senior Indian official said, emphasizing India’s long-standing policy of rejecting outside interference in regional matters.
India, Pakistan: Strategic Partners or Rivals?
While India remains a key strategic partner for the United States in its Indo-Pacific agenda, Pakistan continues to serve as a critical U.S. ally in counterterrorism operations and regional stability efforts in Afghanistan.
The India Pakistan hostilities 2025 serve as another reminder of the fragile peace in South Asia, where decades of unresolved territorial and political disputes can quickly escalate into military confrontation.
The U.S. administration has called for restraint on both sides, urging dialogue, while the United Nations has offered to facilitate talks—a proposal both countries have yet to accept.
The aerial skirmishes also prompted Pakistan to extend its airspace ban on Indian planes until August 23, adding another layer to the ongoing regional standoff.
