U.S. President Donald Trump has once again claimed that Pakistan shot down seven Indian Air Force fighter jets during a four-day conflict earlier this year.
While speaking in the Oval Office, Trump referred to the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to India and said, “They (India) don’t talk about it. But seven (Indian) aircraft were shot down.”
He continued, “The Prime Minister of Pakistan said so beautifully — you saved millions of lives. I think he’s referring to the fact that that would have been with India, a nuclear war that was getting very close. Seven planes — they don’t talk about it, but seven aircraft were shot down.”
According to Trump, the confrontation between Pakistan and India in May 2025 could have escalated into a nuclear conflict if not managed carefully. His remarks have once again drawn attention to the long-standing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
It is pertinent to mention that Trump had previously praised Pakistan’s leadership for playing a responsible role in maintaining regional stability during his presidency.
His latest statement has reignited discussions about the scale and impact of the May 2025 conflict and the accuracy of his claims.
In May 2025, India and Pakistan engaged in a four-day military conflict, marking the most serious escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. The conflict was characterized by the use of missiles and drones, with strikes reaching deep into each other’s territories.
Here is a brief timeline of the key events during the conflict:
| Date | Key Event(s) |
|---|---|
| May 7 | India launches “Operation Sindoor,” conducting missile and air strikes on targets in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s Punjab province. |
| Pakistan retaliates with mortar shelling in the Jammu sector and claims to have shot down several Indian aircraft. | |
| May 8 | The conflict continues with drone strikes and further aerial engagements. |
| May 9-10 | Escalation continues with mutual accusations of missile attacks on air bases. Pakistan launches “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos“. |
| May 10 | A ceasefire is agreed upon following a hotline communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. |
Ceasefire and Aftermath
The intense fighting culminated in a ceasefire on May 10, facilitated by communication between the Indian and Pakistani military operations chiefs and diplomatic engagement from the United States.
In the aftermath, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signaled a new, more aggressive military doctrine, stating that India would respond to terrorism on its own terms and would no longer be deterred by nuclear blackmail.
The suspension of the key Indus Water Treaty and scale of hostilities suggest that India-Pakistan relations are poised for a prolonged deep freeze.
