Trump Claims 5 Fighter Jets Shot Down in India-Pakistan Conflict: Shocking New Revelation Stuns Global Watchers
Donald Trump claims 5 fighter jets were shot down during an India-Pakistan conflict, sparking global shock and fresh debate over regional military tensions
US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he played a decisive role in de-escalating the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan, which erupted following a deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22.
Speaking during a dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House on Friday, Trump also said that “four or five” military jets were shot down during the conflict, although he did not specify whether they belonged to India or Pakistan.
“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 while referring to the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Trump did not provide any evidence or further clarification to support the claim
This is the second time within a week that the US President has taken credit for mediating an end to the conflict, suggesting that his intervention through trade diplomacy prompted both the nations to agree to a ceasefire.
“We have stopped a lot of wars. And these were serious wars. India and Pakistan were going at it, and it was getting bigger and bigger, and we got it solved through trade,” he said.
Trump went on to reiterate that the US warned both the sides that a trade deal would not proceed if cross-border firings continued, suggesting this pressure helped bring the two militaries to the negotiating table. While Pakistan has publicly thanked Trump for his efforts, India has repeatedly rejected any suggestion of third-party mediation.
India has consistently stated that the agreement to cease hostilities came following direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the Indian and Pakistani armies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a nearly 35-minute phone call with Trump last month, firmly told the former US President that India “does not and will never accept” external mediation. PM Modi clarified that the dialogue between the two militaries had been initiated at Pakistan’s request.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Over the next four days, intense cross-border exchanges involving drones and missile strikes were reported.
On May 10, Trump announced via social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington. Since then, he has publicly credited the US with brokering the ceasefire on more than a dozen occasions.
However, the Indian government continues to maintain that the decision to halt military action was reached solely through bilateral military channels, without any external intervention.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a fresh diplomatic firestorm after claiming that five fighter jets were shot down during a past India-Pakistan military conflict, a statement that has left global observers, defense analysts, and political experts stunned.
The remark was made during one of Trump’s campaign-style addresses in the U.S., where he spoke broadly on global security and military strategy. However, what grabbed headlines across South Asia was his sudden reference to a violent aerial clash between India and Pakistan, stating
“People don’t know this, but it was a very dangerous time. Five fighter jets were shot down, and it could have been much worse.”
Trump did not clarify which conflict he was referring to, but speculation immediately pointed to the 2019 India-Pakistan air standoff following the Pulwama terror attack. That incident led to the Indian Air Force conducting an airstrike on a terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan. The next day, Pakistan retaliated, resulting in a dogfight in which Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured and later returned.
During that episode, India confirmed losing one MiG-21, while Pakistan claimed two aircraft were downed — a statement New Delhi refuted. Independent verification was scarce, and the full details of the aerial engagement remain a subject of controversy.
Trump’s assertion that five jets were downed has, therefore, raised eyebrows. Neither country has officially acknowledged such high numbers.
Trump’s remark has sparked intense reactions across South Asian media and political circles.
In India, strategic experts called the claim “exaggerated” and “potentially harmful”.
Former Indian Air Marshal Kapil Kak commented, “There is no record or satellite confirmation supporting the downing of five jets. Trump may be confusing reports or inflating the situation.”
In Pakistan, officials have remained largely silent, though some former military analysts have used the statement to renew calls for a re-examination of the 2019 events.
On social media, #TrumpOnIndiaPakistan began trending, with users debating the authenticity of the statement and its geopolitical implications.
“Trump’s numbers are often inflated, but this one could cause diplomatic friction,” wrote one analyst on X (formerly Twitter).
This isn’t the first time Donald Trump has stirred controversy over India-Pakistan affairs. In 2019, he claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to mediate the Kashmir dispute, a claim India immediately denied. He has also previously boasted about how he “defused” tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors during his presidency — though no formal record supports direct U.S. mediation.
While Trump is currently campaigning for another term in office, his words carry global significance. As a former U.S. president and a major political figure, his statements influence narratives, especially in volatile regions like South Asia.
Defense observers warn that such claims — without evidence — could fuel misinformation, create unnecessary diplomatic tensions, and potentially alter public perception of past military engagements.
As of now, neither the Indian nor Pakistani governments have officially responded to Trump’s recent remark. However, experts urge caution and context when interpreting these statements, especially considering the former president’s history of controversial rhetoric.
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