ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s use of Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets to shoot down at least two Indian aircraft marks a significant moment in regional military dynamics, according to two U.S. officials speaking to Reuters. One official confirmed with “high confidence” that the J-10s launched air-to-air missiles that downed the Indian jets, while another revealed that one of the destroyed aircraft was a French-made Rafale — India’s prized multirole fighter.
India has yet to acknowledge the loss of any aircraft, instead asserting that it carried out successful strikes within Pakistan’s territory. However, Pakistan’s military has rejected those claims and provided its own version of events.
In a detailed press conference, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that Pakistan downed five Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft in response to Indian missile attacks. The downed jets reportedly included three Rafales, one MiG-21, and one SU-30.
“At no point did Indian aircraft breach Pakistani airspace, nor did Pakistani jets enter Indian airspace,” Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized, highlighting Pakistan’s defensive posture during the encounter.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking French intelligence official disclosed to CNN that one Indian Rafale jet was indeed destroyed by Pakistan — marking what could be the first known combat loss of the highly advanced French-built warplane. The official noted that further assessments were ongoing to determine if additional losses occurred.
Tensions escalated between the nuclear-armed neighbors following India’s accusation that Pakistan was responsible for an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Pakistan has denied involvement.
International observers are closely monitoring the situation, as credible third-party confirmations of Indian losses challenge Delhi’s official narrative and highlight the evolving capabilities of Pakistan’s modernized air force.
