U.S. Officials Confirm Pakistani Fighters Downed Two Indian Aircraft

U.S. officials confirmed Pakistan downed at least two Indian fighter jets using Chinese-made aircraft during clashes last Wednesday, May 7, according to Reuters. A U.S official, speaking anonymously to Reuters staff, confirmed that Pakistani J-10 aircraft had launched air-to-air missiles against Indian fighter jets, downing at least two. One of the two fallen jets was confirmed as a French-made Dassault Rafale. Pakistan has claimed to have destroyed five Indian jets in air-to-air engagements, a claim which India has denied. Unconfirmed social media reports suggest China’s PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile was used during the dogfight. Conflict between the two nuclear-armed South Asian nations broke out on Wednesday, May 7, and saw significant escalation, including aircraft combat, artillery shelling and drone attacks before a tentative ceasefire was announced on Saturday, May 10.