US President Donald Trump revealed that up to five jets were destroyed during the recent Pakistan-India hostilities. He made these remarks while addressing a group of Republican lawmakers at a White House dinner on Friday.
Trump described the events as highly intense. “In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually,” he said. He did not provide further details or clarify the context of the clashes.
The Pakistan-India hostilities erupted after a deadly militant strike in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April. The attack killed 26 men and ignited fierce battles between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. New Delhi blamed Islamabad for the incident. Pakistan firmly denied any involvement and demanded an impartial investigation.
Pakistan later claimed that its air force downed six Indian fighter planes in direct aerial combat. Meanwhile, India’s top military commander acknowledged heavy setbacks on the first day of fighting. He stated that Indian forces later altered their tactics and regained an upper hand before the truce was announced three days later.
The exchange escalated rapidly. Indian jets bombed several sites inside Pakistan on May 7. The strikes triggered a series of retaliatory attacks involving fighter jets, drones, missiles, and artillery fire. Dozens were killed on both sides before a ceasefire came into effect in May.
Trump again took credit for helping secure the ceasefire. He announced the breakthrough on social media on May 10, stating that Washington had engaged in talks with both countries. However, India challenged his claim. New Delhi maintained that its agreement with Islamabad was reached without outside mediation.
India has stressed that disputes between the two sides must be resolved bilaterally. It has also rejected Trump’s suggestion that his intervention or threats to cut off trade talks ended the clashes.
Washington continues to view India as a key partner in countering Chinese influence in Asia. At the same time, Pakistan remains a formal ally of the United States. The Pakistan-India hostilities remain another chapter in a decades-old rivalry marked by repeated conflicts, air battles, and deep mistrust.