Tensions between India and Pakistan have surged once again following a deadly militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April 2025. Now, former U.S. President Donald Trump has entered the fray with explosive claims about the scale of the military confrontation, stating that up to five fighter jets were shot down during the skirmish.

Speaking at a Republican dinner event at the White House, Trump said, “Planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually.” He did not clarify whether the jets belonged to India or Pakistan.

In contrast, the Pakistani military has officially claimed that six Indian aircraft were downed during the intense three-day conflict along the Line of Control (LoC). According to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the downed aircraft include:

• Three Rafale fighter jets

• One MiG-29

• One Sukhoi Su-30

• One Israeli-made Heron surveillance drone

PAF officials stated the aircraft were intercepted while attempting stand-off strikes near Pakistani airspace and were destroyed before they could reach their targets.

Following the announcement, Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jet, saw its shares plunge by 6% on May 7. The company has not yet issued a formal statement, but market analysts believe the loss of multiple Rafales in active combat could undermine confidence in the aircraft’s effectiveness and raise questions about defense sales in South Asia.

“This is a public relations setback for Dassault,” said a defense analyst in Paris. “Buyers across Asia and the Middle East will be watching closely.”

Despite Pakistan's claims, India has denied suffering significant aircraft losses, though a senior Indian military official admitted the Air Force experienced “initial setbacks” in the first phase of the conflict. New Delhi insists it managed to regain tactical control before a ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10.

Indian officials also rejected President Trump's assertion that the ceasefire was achieved due to U.S. diplomatic pressure, reiterating India's position that bilateral issues with Pakistan must be resolved without third-party mediation.

Former President Trump, however, continues to take credit for defusing the crisis. “Had we not stepped in, this could have escalated to a level that nobody wants to think about,” he said. Trump claimed that high-level U.S. talks with both Islamabad and New Delhi led to a rapid de-escalation of tensions.

The conflict was triggered by a militant attack in IIOJK in April, which killed 26 Indian paramilitary personnel. While the United States condemned the attack, it stopped short of blaming Pakistan, instead calling for an independent investigation.

India accused Pakistan of harboring the attackers, an allegation strongly denied by Islamabad. Pakistani authorities described the claims as "politically motivated" and demanded an international probe into the incident.