India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has, for the first time, acknowledged the loss of fighter jets during the recent military clash with Pakistan in May, while speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Television on Saturday (May 31), General Chauhan said, “Losing jets is not the main issue, but how they were downed—that’s what matters.” While denying Pakistan’s claim of shooting down six Indian fighter jets—including three Rafales, a MiG-29, and an SU-30—he admitted that India did lose some aircraft, though he declined to specify the exact number.
The Indian defense chief also admitted that India made certain strategic errors in the early phase of the conflict. However, those missteps were quickly rectified, and India launched fresh offensives targeting long-range objectives with claimed precision strikes on Pakistani military installations.
General Chauhan emphasized that the conflict never escalated to the threshold of nuclear warfare. He clarified that both nations maintained a clear distinction between conventional and nuclear engagement, and respected the boundaries. However, he declined to comment on the role of former US President Donald Trump, who was believed to have intervened to prevent a nuclear escalation.
When questioned about Pakistan’s use of Chinese military technology, General Chauhan asserted that such support failed to provide Islamabad with any significant battlefield advantage.
He warned that future developments in the region would depend heavily on Pakistan’s conduct, stating, “India has drawn a clear red line, and any violation will invite a strong response.”
Meanwhile, France is taking Pakistan’s claim of downing Rafale jets seriously. At a press briefing in Paris, a spokesperson for the French Armed Forces confirmed that they are in close contact with Indian defense authorities to verify the authenticity of the incident.
This recent flare-up over the Kashmir issue marks the most intense conflict between India and Pakistan in the last five decades. A formal ceasefire was declared on May 10, following weeks of high-tension military operations.
LND/BG
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