In the first statement of its kind issued by India after its worst military conflict in decades with neighboring Pakistan, the Indian Air Force Chief announced today (Saturday) that his country shot down 5 Pakistani fighter jets and another military aircraft during clashes last May, which was denied by Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who described it as a lie.

Indian Air Marshal A.B. Singh said during an event held in Bangalore, southern India, that most of the Pakistani aircraft were shot down by the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile system owned by India, adding that electronic tracking data confirms these strikes. He emphasized, “We have at least 5 fighters confirmed shot down, and one large aircraft,” indicating that the large aircraft, possibly a reconnaissance plane, was shot down from a distance of 300 kilometers. He noted, “This is actually the largest recorded surface-to-air shootdown operation ever,” which drew applause from the crowd including air force officers, some veterans, and government officials.

Singh did not specify the types of fighter jets shot down but confirmed that airstrikes also hit another reconnaissance plane and several F-16 fighters parked in aircraft shelters at two airbases in southeastern Pakistan.

India admitted losing an unspecified number of fighter jets during the clashes with Pakistan, while stressing that the conflict never approached the brink of nuclear war.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Defense Minister accused India on X (formerly Twitter) of dishonesty, stressing, “If the truth is in doubt, both sides should open their aircraft inventories for an independent investigation, although we suspect this will reveal the reality that India seeks to hide.”