US President Donald Trump claimed that “four or five jets were shot down” during the India-Pakistan military standoff in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians including tourists.
“In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five jets were shot down, actually,” Trump said during a closed-door dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House.
Context: Operation Sindoor
Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 — a tri-service military response involving air, missile, and cyber strikes on terror camps and military installations in Pakistan and PoK.
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India struck deep into Pakistani territory — up to 300 km inside, including airfields with meter-level precision.
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India denied losing Rafale jets or having pilots captured.
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Pakistan claimed to have downed three Rafales, but provided no evidence.
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Dassault CEO Eric Trappier dismissed Pakistan’s claim as “factually incorrect.”
Disputed Jet Losses
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India acknowledged aircraft losses but not Rafales.
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Gen. Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, said:
“It’s not about the jets being down; it’s about why. We adapted quickly and hit back harder.”
Diplomacy Disputed
Trump credited US intervention and trade pressure for the May 10 ceasefire:
“We told them: no trade deal unless you stop. And it worked.”
However, India denies any foreign mediation, maintaining the ceasefire was a bilateral diplomatic achievement.
