Pakistan says it shot down five Indian fighter jets amid cross-border tensions

Pakistan’s military said it has shot down at least five Indian Air Force fighter jets in response to what it described as cross-border aggression by New Delhi, Daily Pakistan reported on Tuesday, citing Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed that no Pakistani Air Force aircraft were lost during the engagements.

According to security sources cited by Geo News, the downed Indian aircraft include three French-made Rafales, one MiG-29, and one Su-30MKI. One of the jets was reportedly destroyed by an air-to-air missile.

Earlier, SAMAA TV reported that Pakistani air defense units shot down two Rafale jets after they violated Pakistani airspace over Punjab province at approximately 00:40 local time. Wreckage from at least one aircraft was recovered on Pakistani territory, and search-and-rescue operations for the pilot are underway.

Military officials described the incident as a “blatant act of hostility” and stressed that Pakistan retains the right to defend its sovereignty while remaining committed to peace.

N.Tebrizli