India’s Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has revealed that the country’s air force downed six Pakistani military aircraft during fierce clashes in May, marking the first official confirmation from New Delhi months after what has been described as its worst military confrontation with Pakistan in decades.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru on Saturday, Singh said that five Pakistani fighter jets and one other large military aircraft possibly a surveillance plane were destroyed between May 7 and May 10. According to him, most of the kills were achieved using India’s Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile system, guided by electronic tracking data.
“We have at least five fighters confirmed killed, and one large aircraft,” Singh stated, noting that the large plane was brought down at a range of 300 km (186 miles) which he described as “the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill.” His remarks drew applause from an audience comprising serving officers, veterans, and government and defence industry representatives.
The Indian air chief further claimed that airstrikes also damaged another Pakistani surveillance aircraft and hit “a few F-16” fighter jets parked at two southeastern Pakistan air bases.
Pakistan’s military has yet to respond to Singh’s statements. Islamabad has consistently denied losing any aircraft during the May clashes, asserting instead that its forces shot down six Indian aircraft, including a French-made Rafale fighter jet.
India has rejected that figure, though it has acknowledged suffering some aircraft losses.
Adding to the controversy, France’s Air Chief General Jerome Bellanger has previously said he has seen evidence supporting the loss of three Indian fighters, including a Rafale a claim New Delhi has not addressed publicly.
The aerial battles in May marked a sharp escalation in tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals, whose relations have been strained for decades over border disputes and militant activity. The conflicting narratives from both sides, coupled with international statements, have deepened uncertainty over the true scale of losses on either side.
For now, Singh’s announcement signals a new phase in the information war between New Delhi and Islamabad one that could shape the strategic posturing of both countries in the months ahead.
