Pakistan army: shot down 5 Indian jets, including Rafale

Pakistan army: shot down 5 Indian jets, including Rafale

In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani military has claimed to have shot down five Indian jets, including two Rafale fighter jets, in a series of airstrikes that took place on Wednesday. This development comes amidst the ongoing conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors over Kashmir.

The Pakistani military spokesperson, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated that the strikes were a response to India's military operation against Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which India had launched earlier in the day. According to the Pakistani military, the airstrikes targeted five locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province, including Kotli, Ahmadpur East, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Muridke. The Pakistani military has reported no civilian casualties, but the extent of damage is still being assessed.

This is the most significant military action since the 2019 conflict between India and Pakistan, when India conducted airstrikes inside Pakistan in response to a suicide car bomb attack that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary personnel in Kashmir. The 2019 skirmish almost spiraled out of control, with multiple missile strikes threatened before U.S. intervention calmed the situation down.

Both nations have significantly upgraded their military capabilities since the 2019 clash, posing increased risks of escalation even in a limited conflict. India has acquired French-made Rafale fighter jets, while Pakistan has obtained Chinese J-10 aircraft. Both sides have also acquired advanced drones and missiles, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the PL-15 missile, which can operate beyond visual range.

The standoff between India and Pakistan is a dangerous flashpoint, with the two countries having fought three wars over Kashmir since their independence from Britain in 1947. The conflict has been further exacerbated by the recent massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam in Indian-controlled Kashmir, which sparked immediate widespread anger in India and led to Prime Minister Narendra Modi being under tremendous pressure to retaliate with force.

The situation remains fluid, and both sides have been engaging in escalating tit-for-tat hostilities. India has ordered its citizens to return from Pakistan, shut a major border crossing, and suspended its involvement in a crucial water sharing treaty. Pakistan has suspended trade with India, expelled Indian diplomats, and said that any attempt to stop or divert water belonging to Pakistan would be considered an "act of war."

The current conflict is a developing story, and further updates are expected as the situation evolves. The international community, including the United States, has urged India and Pakistan to ease tensions and avoid any further escalation.

References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/asia/india-pakistan-kashmir-conflict-hnk-intl
[2] https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/with-militaries-upgraded-risks-multiply-any-potential-india-pakistan-conflict-2025-05-05/