{"id":29115,"date":"2025-05-08T00:46:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T21:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=29115"},"modified":"2025-05-08T00:46:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T21:46:06","slug":"pakistan-downs-5-indian-jets-after-indian-airstrikes-as-india-pakistan-conflict-escalates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/pakistan-downs-5-indian-jets-after-indian-airstrikes-as-india-pakistan-conflict-escalates\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan downs 5 Indian jets after Indian airstrikes as India-Pakistan conflict escalates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

9 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a dramatic escalation of hostilities between South Asia\u2019s nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan exchanged heavy cross-border fire and airstrikes early May 7, 2025, resulting in at least 31 civilian deaths in Pakistan and the downing of multiple Indian fighter jets.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flare-up follows last month\u2019s deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 Hindu pilgrims. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, which Islamabad outrightly denies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


India\u2019s overnight strikes on Pakistan <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 12:30 and 1:00 a.m. local time, India initiated \u201cOperation Sindoor,\u201d coordinated strikes by the Indian Air Force on what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in nine locations in both Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian government said nine sites associated with the Islamist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba were targeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The operation’s name, “Sindoor,” is believed to symbolically refer to the red vermilion powder worn by many Hindu women after marriage, which connects to the grief caused by the recent massacre of 26 pilgrims in Kashmir. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indian officials described it as \u201cprecision strikes\u201d. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri added that intelligence had revealed imminent threats, necessitating “pre-emptive and precautionary action.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"mosque<\/a>
A damaged portion of Bilal Mosque is seen after it was hit by an Indian strike in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, May 7, 2025. (Image Credit: Reuters)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Despite Indian claims of avoiding civilian casualties, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that Indian missiles hit six civilian areas, killing at least 26 people and injuring 46. A subsequent update by ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry later revised the toll to 31, stating that five additional civilians were killed by artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Pakistan retaliates, claims downing of five Indian fighter jets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a swift response, Pakistan\u2019s military launched counter-strikes and claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets over various sectors of Kashmir and northern Punjab. Pakistani military sources claimed they shot down five Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafales, a MiG-29, and an SU-30, along with one drone, citing \u201cself-defense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials in Islamabad said Indian aircraft were shot down near the border and over Indian-administered Kashmir. Independent reports from local government sources in Indian Kashmir confirmed that at least three Indian jets had crashed in separate areas overnight, with all pilots hospitalized. India has not formally acknowledged the loss of its aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wreckage of Indian Air Force fighter jets that crashed in Akhnoor and Pampore in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian jets after India launched overnight airstrikes on Pakistan. pic.twitter.com\/HMck4qPL9V<\/a><\/p>\u2014 IRIA (@IRIA_Research) May 7, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>