July 19 | New Delhi/Washington – In a new controversial statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that five fighter jets were shot down during the recent military flare-up between India and Pakistan, which followed the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year.
Speaking at a private dinner event with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump stated, “Planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five—four or five—but I think five jets were shot down actually.” He did not specify whether the aircraft belonged to India or Pakistan, leaving the claim vague and open to interpretation.
Operation Sindoor Under Spotlight Again
Trump’s statement has once again drawn attention to Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory response to the deadly April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The attack had claimed 26 lives, including several tourists. In retaliation, India is reported to have launched air and missile strikes, leading to a brief but high-intensity conflict that lasted four days in early May.
Though India has officially acknowledged the operation, it has not confirmed any aircraft losses. On the other hand, Pakistan has claimed it successfully brought down multiple Indian jets, including three Rafale fighters—an assertion for which it has yet to produce credible evidence.
Political Reactions in India
Trump’s repeated references to his role in supposedly averting a larger war between India and Pakistan—now claimed for the 24th time—have sparked sharp political reactions back in India.
The Congress party took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter.
“Trump said five jets were shot down in the war between India and Pakistan… and claimed again that he stopped the war by threatening trade action. Why does Modi stay silent? Has he sacrificed national honour for trade ties?” the party posted.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticized the Prime Minister, mocking his diplomatic relationship with Trump as “huglomacy”—a reference to Modi’s visibly warm interactions with the former U.S. President in past years.
No Official Confirmation
So far, neither India nor Pakistan has officially commented on Trump’s latest remarks. The Indian government has largely maintained strategic silence over Trump’s claims, while Pakistan’s assertions remain unverified and disputed.
Given the gravity of the situation and the sensitive geopolitical balance in the region, the lack of clarity from official sources leaves room for speculation and political posturing.
The Bigger Picture
Trump’s claim adds to an already complex and emotionally charged discourse surrounding the India-Pakistan conflict. Whether his statement reflects actual intelligence or is another instance of political exaggeration remains to be seen.
Regardless, the remark has successfully reignited national conversations around India’s military operations, transparency in defense matters, and the government’s diplomatic conduct.