Trump claims five jets downed in India-Pak clash, kicks up storm

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that “five jets were shot down” during the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, reigniting debate over the extent of India’s losses in Operation Sindoor. His remarks have drawn sharp reactions, with the Congress-led Opposition demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarify the matter in Parliament.

Speaking at a private dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump said, “We stopped a lot of wars. And these were serious, India and Pakistan, that was going on. Planes were being shot out of there. I think five jets were shot down.” While he did not specify which country’s aircraft were destroyed, his comments have bolstered Pakistan’s claims, though Islamabad has provided no evidence, while contradicting India’s official stance.

Pakistan has repeatedly claimed its air force downed six Indian jets, including three French-built Rafale fighters, but has not provided evidence. In contrast, India struck 11 Pakistani airbases and released imagery to support its claims. Even Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif admitted that Indian BrahMos missiles hit Pakistani airbases.

India has acknowledged “losses in combat” but has not disclosed details. Last month, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan confirmed that the Indian Air Force lost aircraft but rejected Pakistan’s claim of six downed Indian jets. Director General Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti has maintained that all pilots returned safely.

Trump also reiterated his claim of mediating to de-escalate tensions, stating, “India and Pakistan were going at it and they were back and forth, and it was getting bigger and bigger. We got it solved through trade. We said you guys want to make a trade deal. We’re not making a trade deal if you’re going to be throwing around weapons, and maybe nuclear weapons, both very powerful nuclear states.” However, India has denied any third-party mediation, insisting the crisis was resolved bilaterally.

The controversy has resurfaced just ahead of Parliament’s monsoon session, with the Opposition seizing on Trump’s remarks to pressure the government. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X, “Modi ji, what is the truth about the 5 jets? The country has the right to know!” Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, demanded a “clear and categorical statement” from PM Modi, citing his past rapport with Trump.

“The Prime Minister, who has had years of friendship and huglomacy with President Trump going back to ‘Howdy Modi’ in September 2019 and ‘Namaste Trump’ in February 2020, has to now himself make a clear and categorical statement in Parliament on what Trump has been claiming over the past 70 days,” Jairam said.

Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra went further, claiming at least one Rafale was lost. In a post on X, she said, “Each Rafale jet was bought with $250 mn of taxpayer money… Doesn’t India deserve a post-Sindoor briefing?” The issue is expected to dominate the monsoon session, with the INDIA bloc pushing for accountability.

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