New Delhi: In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, a high-ranking French intelligence official has claimed that Pakistan shot down an Indian Rafale fighter jet on May 7, 2025. This assertion follows India's military operation, dubbed 'Operation Sindoor', which targeted what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for a recent terror attack.
According to CNN, French officials are investigating whether more than one Rafale jet was downed during Pakistan's response to India's military action. Islamabad has asserted that its military downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, during an air engagement that occurred shortly after India launched its strikes around 1 AM on May 7.
Eyewitness accounts from India reported seeing an unidentified aircraft crash in a field in Punjab, with debris later discovered in Jammu and Kashmir. Both Reuters and The New York Times cited Indian officials indicating that at least two Indian aircraft were downed, with one source suggesting that three jets were lost under unclear circumstances.
In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence clarified that its operation specifically targeted nine sites in Pakistan, aimed at dismantling terrorist capabilities that had been planning attacks against India. The ministry emphasized that the action was “focused, measured and non-escalatory” and did not target Pakistani military infrastructure.
Pakistan's response was swift, with officials claiming that Indian airstrikes resulted in significant civilian casualties, stating that 26 civilians were killed and 46 others injured. Furthermore, Pakistani military sources asserted that their forces had shot down five Indian fighter jets as retaliation, with military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif detailing the engagement.
Reports from the ground indicated that locals in the Bathinda area of Punjab witnessed an aircraft crash, which subsequently exploded, resulting in the death of a farm laborer. In Pampore, near Srinagar, residents reported hearing powerful explosions in the sky, and debris was scattered over a wide area.
Weapons researcher Trevor Ball analyzed photos of debris collected in the Wuyan area and identified a component as likely belonging to a Dassault Rafale or Mirage fighter jet. However, he noted that the images did not confirm the downing of an aircraft, stating, “This isn’t from a crashed aircraft. This is a drop tank from an aircraft, and none of the photos show any other aircraft parts.”
As the situation escalated, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged that the claim of downing five Indian jets was primarily based on social media posts, stating, “It is all on social media, and Indian social media, not our social media.” He warned of the potential for broader conflict, emphasizing that Pakistan was trying to avoid a full-scale war.
The Indian government has remained largely silent on the specifics of the aircraft involved, but the Indian embassy in China dismissed claims of downed jets as “disinformation,” stressing that the Press Information Bureau (PIB) had already rebutted various claims circulating on social media.
Amidst the rising tensions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan declared that the military had reduced Indian jets to “smithereens” during the air battle, claiming that the Pakistani Air Force had successfully engaged the Indian aircraft in a “dogfight.”
In the wake of these developments, the Indian military has confirmed the execution of multiple strikes on terror camps within Pakistan, asserting that it had acted in self-defense against ongoing threats. The strikes targeted facilities associated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India accuses of orchestrating attacks against its territory.
In a separate incident, images circulated on social media purportedly showing wreckage from a crashed Indian MiG-29, which was later identified as an old incident. The PIB cautioned against the circulation of outdated images as evidence of current military losses.
The Rafale jets, which India purchased from France in a deal worth 7.8 billion euros, represent a significant upgrade to India's military capabilities. The aircraft are known for their advanced technology and combat effectiveness, making the potential loss of even a single jet a matter of grave concern for Indian defense officials.
As both nations navigate this precarious situation, experts warn that the specter of nuclear escalation looms over the region, with both sides possessing significant military capabilities. The Indian government has reiterated its commitment to responding decisively to any aggression, stating, “If Pakistan responds, India will respond.”
With the international community closely monitoring the situation, the coming days will be critical in determining whether further military actions will take place or if diplomatic avenues can be pursued to de-escalate tensions.
