U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that up to five fighter jets were shot down during the recent military flare-up between Pakistan and India. The tensions erupted following a deadly attack in April in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and de-escalated after a ceasefire was implemented in May.
Speaking at a White House dinner with Republican lawmakers, Trump did not clarify which side’s aircraft were downed, nor did he provide further details.
“Planes were being shot out of the air—five, maybe four—but I think five jets were actually shot down,” he remarked.
According to Pakistan, it shot down five Indian jets in air-to-air combat. Meanwhile, India’s top military general acknowledged that India suffered aerial losses on the first day of fighting, prompting a shift in strategy. He claimed that India had gained the upper hand before the ceasefire was declared three days later.
India also claimed to have downed multiple Pakistani aircraft. Pakistan, however, denied losing any jets, though it admitted that some of its airbases were hit during the skirmishes.
