Trump believes five fighter jets were shot down in India-Pakistan conflict

Up to five fighter jets were shot down during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, which erupted after an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir brought the nuclear-armed neighbors to the brink of their fifth all-out war, before a ceasefire in May, according to US President Donald Trump.

Trump did not specify which side’s jets he was referring to during his remarks at a dinner with a number of Republican US lawmakers at the White House on Friday.

“In fact, aircraft were being shot from the air,” he said. Without going into further detail, Trump said, “Five, five, four, or five, but I believe five jets were actually shot down.”

In an air-to-air conflict, Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian aircraft.

After suffering losses in the air on the opening day of hostilities, India’s highest-ranking general claimed in late May that it had changed its strategy and had gained a lead before the announcement of a ceasefire three days later.

India also claimed that Pakistan was “affected by a few planes.” Although acknowledging that its airbases suffered hits, Islamabad denied that there were any aircraft losses.

Truce agreement

Trump has repeatedly criticized and said he deserves praise for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan that he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held discussions with both sides, and that he has been denied credit for it.

Trump’s claims that his intervention and his threats to halt trade talks contradict his assertions.

New Delhi has stated that it has reached an agreement with Pakistan bilaterally and that they must resolve their issues directly and without getting involved outside.

In Washington’s efforts to combat China’s influence in Asia, India and Pakistan are both becoming more important US allies, and the Trump administration is now enjoying a new level of diplomatic support.

In response to widespread local reports of a trip, the White House announced on Thursday that no Trump visit to Pakistan was scheduled “at this time.”

In the most recent escalation of a decades-old rivalry, the April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir resulted in the deaths of 26 people and extensive fighting between the two parties.

New Delhi demanded a fair investigation while blaming Pakistan, which denied responsibility for the attack.

Washington criticized the attack, but it didn’t directly blame Islamabad.