Indian Military Officers Implicitly Acknowledge Destruction of Rafale Jets

New Delhi — Indian military officers have, albeit in veiled terms, acknowledged the destruction of Rafale jets bought from Russia, following evidence provided by the Pakistan Army that has put India in a difficult position. In a bid to save face, the Indian military was compelled to hold a press conference.

During the news conference, a journalist asked whether the Indian Rafale jets had been downed. In response, Air Marshal A.K. Bhatt stated that he would not answer the question at that time, adding, “In war, losses are inevitable, and we have suffered losses.”

He also acknowledged that Pakistan’s fighter jets had downed their aircraft but did not provide specifics about the wreckage’s location.

The atmosphere during the news conference was tense, with the faces of senior officers from all three branches of the Indian military showing signs of unease. Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai, DGMO, reluctantly admitted that Pakistan had launched devastating attacks, and in an aggressive tone, warned that if Pakistan attempted to infiltrate again, a strong response would be given. Despite their efforts, the officers continued to deny the extent of their losses, attempting to deflect public scrutiny with false claims.

This revelation comes after a joint press conference on May 9, 2025, by Pakistan’s DG ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, where he exposed India’s lies in front of international media. During the briefing, General Chaudhry revealed that the Pakistan Air Force had downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, one MiG-29, and one SU-30.

India had initially denied the downing of the jets, but some Indian media outlets later confirmed the reports, which were later retracted by the Indian government.

Read more: PAF Downs 5 Indian Jets; DG ISPR Reveals Evidence in Joint Briefing

DG ISPR, along with senior Air Force officers, presented undeniable evidence, including serial numbers of the Indian aircraft and locations of the wreckage.

Additionally, CNN anchor and security expert Jim Sciutto revealed on social media that a senior French intelligence official had confirmed the destruction of the Rafale jets.

This admission and the ensuing revelations shed light on the growing tensions between the two nations and underscore the increasingly complex nature of military exchanges in the region.