LAHORE – Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday reiterated that the country’s armed forces had shot down six Indian fighter jets during the brief but intense four-day conflict with India in May this year, adding that Islamabad holds video evidence to back its claim.
Speaking at a seminar in Lahore, Naqvi said the confrontation, which erupted after India carried out strikes inside Pakistan on May 7, exposed serious flaws in New Delhi’s military planning. He maintained that the response from Pakistan was “swift and decisive,” forcing international intervention that led to a ceasefire announced by then US President Donald Trump on May 10.
“We downed six Indian aircraft, and we have documentary proof in the form of videos,” Naqvi said, stressing that the military campaign against Pakistan was not led directly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but instead orchestrated by Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
According to the minister, India’s three armed forces failed to coordinate effectively during the clashes. He also credited Pakistan’s intelligence agencies for maintaining real-time access to Indian movements. “When a nation fights with faith, the Almighty provides help and grants victory,” he remarked, claiming divine intervention played a role in Pakistan’s defense.
Naqvi said India launched seven missiles at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, but all failed to inflict damage as they either landed outside the facility or misfired. “In return, Pakistan struck 36 Indian positions,” he added.
The minister highlighted the political consensus that prevailed in Pakistan during the conflict, noting that opposition parties, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, contributed to diplomatic efforts. He also accused India of continuing to fund terrorism in Balochistan and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to the Kashmir cause until the region’s people are granted the right to self-determination.
Naqvi credited the country’s military leadership and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for withstanding pressure and delivering “a fitting response” to India.
The latest remarks come after Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh claimed last week that the Indian Air Force had downed five Pakistani fighter jets and one larger aircraft during “Operation Sindoor” in early May. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif quickly rejected those assertions, calling them “as implausible as they are ill-timed.”
In a statement posted on X, Asif said it was “ironic” that senior Indian military officers were now being tasked to justify what he described as a “monumental failure rooted in the strategic miscalculations of Indian politicians.” He noted that while Pakistan had briefed international media immediately after the conflict, New Delhi had remained silent for months before making such claims.
