SINGAPORE: In a rare public admission, India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan confirmed that Indian fighter jets were lost during the recent May 10 clash with Pakistan. This is the first time the Indian military has acknowledged the losses.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Chauhan spoke to Bloomberg TV. He admitted the losses but avoided specifying the number of downed aircraft. His remarks mark a significant shift in India’s official stance.
“Not How Many, But Why”
General Chauhan emphasized learning from the incident. “What is important is not the number of jets that were downed, but why they were downed,” he stated.
He said the Indian Air Force quickly identified tactical mistakes. According to him, the response was immediate. “We rectified the issue and resumed operations within two days,” he said. “All our jets were flying again and engaging targets at long range.”
The general also noted the importance of operational continuity and the military’s ability to recover fast after setbacks.
Pakistan’s Claims Dismissed
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Pakistan Air Force had shot down six Indian fighter jets during the skirmish. General Chauhan, however, rejected that claim.
He called Pakistan’s assertion “inaccurate” and offered no additional comment on the numbers. His statement marks the most direct acknowledgment by an Indian official on the matter so far.
Read: UN: Gaza Now the Hungriest Place on Earth
Until now, New Delhi had remained silent on any aircraft losses. Chauhan’s remarks shift the narrative by admitting damage while downplaying the extent.
Nuclear Talk “Far-Fetched”
General Chauhan also addressed global concerns about a possible nuclear standoff. He was asked about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that American diplomacy helped prevent nuclear war between India and Pakistan.
Chauhan responded by calling the claim “far-fetched.” He added that there is a broad gap between conventional and nuclear conflict. “There are sub-ladders in escalation,” he said, “and both countries have options to de-escalate without crossing dangerous thresholds.”
He highlighted that communication channels between the two countries remained open throughout the crisis. This openness helped both sides manage tensions.
Rare Moment of Transparency
General Chauhan’s comments represent a rare moment of openness from the Indian military. Admitting jet losses may change the dynamics of future discussions between the two nuclear neighbors.
Military analysts see the remarks as a step toward more transparent crisis management in South Asia. While India continues to reject Pakistan’s claim of six jets being shot down, the admission of any loss is significant.