WASHINGTON — Former US President Donald Trump has once again made headlines with his remarks about the May 2025 military confrontation between Pakistan and India, asserting that a total of eight aircraft were downed during the conflict.
Speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday, Trump recounted how he was finalizing a trade deal involving both nations when tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors suddenly escalated. “I was in the middle of a trade deal with both of them,” Trump said. “Then I read on the front page of a newspaper they’re going to war. Seven or eight planes were shot down. Essentially, eight were downed.”
The May 2025 clash marked one of the most intense face-offs between Pakistan and India in decades. The confrontation erupted after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed 26 lives. New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the assault a charge Pakistan strongly denied, offering instead to take part in an impartial international investigation.
According to military sources at the time, Pakistan successfully downed seven Indian fighter jets including three Rafales and multiple surveillance drones. The standoff, which lasted nearly 87 hours, ended on May 10 following a ceasefire mediated by the United States.
During his Miami address, Trump claimed that several newspapers had published conflicting reports about the number of aircraft destroyed during the conflict. “One said seven, another said one was damaged,” he told the audience. “I won’t name them most of them publish fake news. But in reality, eight planes were shot down.”
Recalling his involvement in halting the escalation, Trump said he had threatened to suspend trade negotiations with both Islamabad and New Delhi until peace was restored. “I said, if they’re at war, we’re not signing any deal. A few hours later, I got a call they want peace. They stopped. I said, thank you, let’s trade,” Trump recounted with his signature bravado. “Isn’t that great?”
Last month, Trump had similarly boasted about his role in brokering the truce, describing it as an act that “prevented a nuclear catastrophe.” He also reiterated that “seven brand-new and beautiful planes” were destroyed, referring to India’s losses in the short but fierce engagement.
