CDS Anil Chauhan Confirms Indian Fighter Jets Shot Down by Pakistan Amid May Border Conflict

India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, confirmed on Saturday that some Indian fighter jets were shot down by Pakistan during the recent four-day conflict earlier this month.

This admission marks India’s first official acknowledgment of aerial losses in the intense clashes between the two neighboring countries.

Details of the Aerial Conflict

The shootdown occurred on the night of May 6-7, when the Pakistan Air Force responded to Indian Air Force missile strikes targeting six locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

These sites included religious and strategic points such as Subhan Mosque in Bahawalpur’s Ahmedpur East, Bilal Mosque in Muzaffarabad, Abbas Mosque in Kotli, Umalkura Mosque in Muridke, the village of Kotki Lohara in Sialkot district, and Shakargarh.

According to Pakistani claims, six Indian jets were downed, including three advanced French Rafale fighters.

A report by Dawn described this clash as a significant moment in regional air power dynamics.

The six jets reportedly shot down in about 40 minutes were three Rafales, one Su-30MKI, one Mirage 2000, and one MiG-29. Notably, no Pakistani jets crossed into Indian airspace or engaged in dogfights.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Chauhan stressed, “I think what is important is not the jets being downed but why the jets were shot down.”

Confirmation and Analysis of Losses

When asked directly about the shootdown, General Chauhan confirmed that Indian jets were indeed lost during the recent escalation.

He emphasized that the reasons behind these losses and the subsequent Indian military response were far more critical than the number of jets lost.

International sources, including officials from the United States and France, also verified Pakistan’s downing of Indian aircraft.

CNN reported a senior US official’s assessment confirming Pakistan shot down at least one Indian jet using Chinese-acquired fighter aircraft. A high-ranking French intelligence official similarly told CNN that Pakistan had downed one Indian Rafale fighter.

The Washington Post further validated these claims through analysis of images and videos showing wreckage consistent with at least two French-made Indian jets—a Rafale and a Mirage 2000—destroyed by Pakistan during the strikes.

The Timeline and Ceasefire

After India intercepted drones sent by Pakistan on May 8, the two countries engaged in retaliatory air strikes on each other’s bases during the nights of May 9-10.

The conflict only de-escalated after the United States brokered a ceasefire on May 10, ending a week of record tension that nearly brought the two nuclear-armed neighbors to the brink of war.

The escalation was triggered by the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22.

India accused Pakistan-backed militants for the attack, which was claimed by an armed group known as The Resistance Front (TRF), alleged to be linked with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Pakistan denied any involvement and called for a neutral investigation.

Military and Political Responses

India conducted air strikes against what it called “terror infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 7.

Pakistan asserted it had downed six Indian jets in retaliation, although later reports from Pakistani officials adjusted that figure to five. India had not previously confirmed these losses, with Air Marshal AK Bharti commenting only that “losses are a part of combat.”

The Indian embassy in China dismissed reports of downed jets as “disinformation.”

The tit-for-tat attacks along the Line of Control (LoC) escalated fears of a nuclear confrontation. On May 10, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire, potentially averting a “nuclear disaster.” More than 70 people died during the clashes on both sides.

General Chauhan’s Statements and Military Strategy

Chauhan admitted India lost jets on the first day of fighting but did not disclose exact numbers.

He said, “What was important is why did these losses occur and what we’ll do after that.”

He explained that following these losses, the Indian military adjusted its tactics and returned on May 7, 8, and 10 to launch precise strikes deep inside Pakistan, overcoming air defenses and executing coordinated attacks with multiple aircraft types and ordnances.

Pakistan acknowledged minimal damage to its airbases but denied losing any jets.

When questioned about Pakistan’s claims of downing six Indian jets, Chauhan responded, “What is important is … not the jets being downed but why they were downed,” suggesting the number of jets lost may not be as high as claimed.

Nuclear War Risks and Rationality in Conflict

Reports hinted that some strikes targeted areas near Pakistan’s nuclear facilities, but the nuclear infrastructure itself was not hit. Chauhan assured that India had no plans to use nuclear weapons during the conflict. Pakistan’s military leadership echoed this stance.

“There’s a lot of space before that nuclear threshold is crossed,” Chauhan said. He noted both sides showed rationality during the conflict, especially among uniformed personnel who understood the grave consequences of escalation.

China’s Role in the Conflict

Though Pakistan has a close alliance with China, Chauhan said there was no evidence Beijing provided operational support during the conflict.

India observed no unusual activity along its northern borders with China, which controls the disputed Aksai Chin region in Kashmir.

Chauhan mentioned that “almost 80 percent of the equipment” in Pakistan’s military comes from China, but intelligence such as satellite imagery is commercially accessible and could be obtained from multiple sources.

The Future Outlook

While hostilities have ended, General Chauhan warned India would respond decisively to any future terror attacks originating from Pakistan, signaling a “new normal” requiring constant military preparedness.

Opposition leaders called for a thorough review of India’s defence readiness following Chauhan’s admission.

Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government’s handling of the conflict and demanded a special parliamentary session.

Meanwhile, analysts like Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center noted that while the acknowledgment of jet losses confirms assumptions, it raises uncomfortable questions about the delay in India’s official admission, which previously allowed Pakistan’s narrative to dominate the discourse.