Three IAF Rafael Jet Shot Down by Pakistan

Pakistan’s defence minister said that the Pakistan Air Force had shot down five Indian Air Force jets following Indian missile strikes. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told private Geo TV: “The Pakistan Air Force has shot down at least five Indian fighter jets in response to India’s recent cross-border aggression.”

According to CNN, earlier, military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that two Indian Air Force planes were shot down.

“There are other reports that Pakistani forces have caused numerous damages, both on the ground and in the air. But I can assure you that at least two Indian Air Force aircraft were shot down.”

According to Pakistani security sources, the downed Indian plane was targeted “while trying to hit Pakistan using Indian airspace”.

These include three Rafale, a MiG-29 and Su-30, the sources added.

Along the Line of Control, which divides the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir into two zones, rival armies continued to fire across the border.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours follow an attack on April 22 in the city of Bhalgam in Indian-ruled Kashmir that killed 26 people.

India blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming there were cross-border links. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the killings.

Amid the military escalation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pakistani and Indian national security advisers.

“I am closely monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan. I echo the comments of @POTUS (President Donald Trump) … We hope that this will end quickly and will continue to engage the Indian and Pakistani leaderships in order to reach a peaceful settlement.”

Due to the escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours. Several northern Indian airports have been shut temporarily, according to officials.

IAF Rafael Jet Shot down by Pakistan Air Defense after Airspace Violation near Bahawalpur

According to official sources, security forces claimed that Pakistani air defense units successfully shot down an Indian Air Force Rafael fighter jet early Tuesday after violating Pakistani airspace near Bahawalpur district. The incident occurred at about 12:40 noon, when radar systems detected an unprovoked attack by Indian aircraft on Pakistani territory. In response, Pakistani forces acted in accordance with standard protocols to stop and neutralize the threat. The wreckage of the crashed plane was recovered on the territory of Pakistan, and search and rescue teams were sent to confirm the condition of the pilot.

“This is a flagrant act of hostility and a serious violation of Pakistani airspace,” he said in an official statement, adding that Pakistan remained committed to peace but reserved the right to defend its sovereignty. The officials also indicated that an appropriate response would be provided on both the diplomatic and strategic fronts.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors have escalated in recent days, raising regional and international concerns. More updates will be provided as more information becomes available.