Trump Says Five Warplanes Downed During Op Sindoor

US President Donald Trump has once again stirred the diplomatic pot with his fresh statement on Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area. While speaking at a private dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump claimed that up to five fighter jets were shot down in the fierce conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year, reigniting ongoing debates and political reactions in both countries.

Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian armed forces following a deadly attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives, including tourists. This terrorist strike triggered a brief but intense phase of hostilities between India and Pakistan. Airstrikes, missile attacks, and artillery firing continued for four days before both sides agreed to a ceasefire in May, averting what many feared could spiral into a larger war between two nuclear neighbours.

During his remarks, President Trump did not clarify whether the jets that were downed belonged to India or Pakistan, nor did he provide specific details regarding the aerial engagements. He said, “In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually,” making it clear that he considered the incident to be of grave significance for regional peace and stability. Trump further repeated his claim that it was US trade diplomacy and intervention that pushed both sides to halt military operations, “We said, you guys want to make a trade deal. We’re not making a trade deal if you’re going to be throwing around weapons, and maybe nuclear weapons, both very powerful nuclear states,” he stated.

These comments rekindled the spotlight on the casualties and losses from Operation Sindoor. Pakistani officials have maintained that they downed five Indian jets and captured some Indian pilots, although they have not offered conclusive proof of these statements. On the other side, Indian officials have mostly refrained from detailing losses but did confirm the downing of “a few” Pakistani planes. Pakistan, for its part, has denied losing any aircraft, though it admitted some of its military airbases were hit.

The claim has also led to a stir within domestic politics in India. Opposition leaders, including members of the Congress party, have called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify the exact details of the conflict and respond to Donald Trump’s assertions in Parliament. However, India’s official position continues to stress that the ceasefire was reached via direct bilateral talks, not through US mediation or pressure, and that such matters are to be resolved without external interference.

This renewed claim by President Trump comes at a delicate time for the region, with ties between India and Pakistan still tense. Explosions in Srinagar and Jammu on the very day of the ceasefire had raised concerns about the durability of the truce. While Trump insists on his role in averting disaster, Indian officials have so far downplayed his statements, sticking to their narrative of bilateral resolution and opposing any outside intervention in the country’s security and foreign policy matters.

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