LAHORE:
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated Pakistan’s claim of downing six Indian fighter jets during the four-day conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in May this year, asserting that the country possesses video evidence to substantiate its position.
“We downed six Indian aircraft, with video evidence available,” Naqvi said on Sunday while addressing a seminar in Punjab’s provincial capital.
The latest statement comes amid an intensifying war of narratives between Pakistan and India following a flare-up in hostilities earlier this year. According to Pakistani officials, the escalation began after India launched attacks inside Pakistani territory on May 7, purportedly in retaliation for a militant attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22.
Pakistan retaliated with a series of air and missile strikes on May 10, prompting international concern and a subsequent ceasefire announced by then-US President Donald Trump on the same day.
Naqvi said that contrary to perceptions, the conflict was not directly spearheaded by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but rather by Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
He also criticized India’s lack of coordination between its armed forces, alleging that the Indian army, navy, and air force entered the conflict without a unified plan. Pakistan’s advantage, he claimed, stemmed from its intelligence capabilities and spiritual resolve.
“If one is determined with strong faith, then Almighty not only helps but also makes victory destiny,” he said.
Naqvi further claimed divine intervention protected key Pakistani military assets during the confrontation.
“India fired seven missiles at Nur Khan Airbase, but none caused damage — they landed either outside the base or elsewhere. In retaliation, Pakistan targeted 36 Indian positions.”
The minister praised the unity of Pakistan’s political leadership during the crisis, crediting PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with playing a key diplomatic role. He also reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing accusation that India is involved in sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Kashmir cause.
“The credit for Pakistan’s firm response goes to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who endured the pressure and gave India a fitting reply,” Naqvi stated.
The Pakistani claim comes just a week after Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh publicly asserted that the Indian Air Force had downed five Pakistani fighter jets and one large military aircraft during Operation Sindoor in early May.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was quick to reject those claims, labelling them as fabricated and poorly timed.
“As implausible as they are ill-timed,” Asif said in a statement posted on microblogging platform X.
“It is ironic that senior Indian military officers were being made to front a monumental failure caused by the strategic shortsightedness of Indian politicians.”
He further noted the delay in India’s official claims, contrasting it with Pakistan’s immediate engagement with the international press.
“For three months after the operation, no such assertions were made, whereas Pakistan had immediately provided detailed technical briefings to the international media,” Asif added.
The conflicting claims from both sides have added a new layer of tension to already strained diplomatic relations, with no third-party verification so far offered on the extent of damages suffered by either nation.
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