By Major (R) Haroon Rasheed – Defence & Strategic Analyst
Islamabad — In a dramatic and decisive aerial engagement, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down six Indian fighter jets, including four Rafales, during a confrontation over Azad Jammu & Kashmir earlier this year. This claim, long asserted by Pakistani officials, has now been indirectly supported by a recent article published by The Economist — a UK-based, internationally respected magazine — which highlighted India’s tactical miscalculations and Pakistan’s superior execution in the skies.
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In a parallel development, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, while addressing Republican lawmakers on July 18, acknowledged the scale of Indian losses, stating that “four or five jets were shot down actually” — adding further credibility to Pakistan’s version of events
The Economist UK Tactical Superiority Recognized
In its July 2025 edition, The Economist, published from London, described Pakistan’s performance as:
A rare and overwhelming tactical success
The magazine noted
Pakistan, flying Chinese-made J-10C jets, used better planning, electronic warfare coordination, and superior missile reach to nullify India’s more expensive Rafale jets. Indian command failures and overconfidence played a key role in the losses.”
It also suggested that actual Indian losses may be greater than publicly acknowledged, citing regional military sources and satellite imagery of wreckage.
Aircraft Shot Down in Operation Sky Shield
Based on verified Pakistani military reports, the following Indian aircraft were downed on May 7, 2025:
4 Rafale multirole fighters
1 Mirage-2000
1 MiG-29
Among the Rafales, one was piloted by Squadron Leader Shiwangi, a high-profile Indian Air Force officer. Her aircraft was shot down over Leepa Valley, and while debris was recovered, her body was never found. Her status remains missing in action, with no acknowledgment from the Indian government.
President Trump’s Confirmation
During a closed-door Republican event on July 18, President Donald Trump made a notable comment:
Planes were being shot out of the air… four or five. Maybe five jets were shot down actually… it was serious.”
Although President Trump didn’t name the country whose jets were downed, his statement closely matches Pakistan’s official confirmation and reflects the reality presented in The Economist’s report.
How Pakistan Gained the Upper Hand
This confrontation was triggered by an Indian incursion attempt across the Kel Sector in Azad Kashmir. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyanun Marsoos
deploying advanced air assets and early warning systems:
J-10C fighters equipped with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles
Full-spectrum radar and EW (Electronic Warfare) coverage
Rapid reaction strike coordination
The Economist reported
Despite India’s technological advantage in some platforms, Pakistan’s integration of data, better planning, and Chinese missile technology turned the tide of the engagement.”
Squadron Leader Shiwangi: Still Missing
The mysterious disappearance of Squadron Leader Shiwangi, pilot of the fourth Rafale, remains a critical point in the incident. Pakistani defense sources confirmed her aircraft was destroyed mid-air, with partial wreckage recovered — yet India has neither confirmed nor denied her loss.
This silence from New Delhi has only intensified speculation.
Strategic Consequences for India
The destruction of four Rafales, each worth over $100 million by lower-cost J-10Cs, reflects a shift in the region’s airpower calculus. The Economist warned this may be
A wake-up call for India’s overreliance on expensive Western hardware without integrating battlefield coordination and strategic doctrine.”
Conclusion: Confirmation Across Three Fronts
Pakistan’s narrative has now been strengthened through
1. Military reporting by the Pakistan Air Force
2. Analytical support from The Economist (UK)
3. Verbal confirmation by U.S. President Donald Trump
As a defense and strategic analyst, based on direct military insight and intelligence reports, I confirm
*Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets, including four Rafales, in a single operational encounter. Squadron Leader Shiwangi, one of the Indian pilots, is still listed as missing in action. This episode marks a major strategic victory for Pakistan in modern air combat history.
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Modi govt faces questions again after Trump says five jets down
Major (R) Haroon Rasheed is a retired officer of the Pakistan Army and a defense analyst focusing on South Asian strategic affairs and emerging military technologies.
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