Pakistan Air Force Claims Air Superiority After Shooting Down Indian Aircrafts

In a major escalation of the Kashmir Conflict, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has claimed air superiority over the Indian Air Force (IAF) following a high-stakes aerial encounter along the Line of Control (LoC). According to ISPR, multiple Indian aircraft were shot down during the engagement, marking one of the most significant air clashes in South Asian history.

This confrontation unfolded amid renewed tensions in the volatile Kashmir region, where both nuclear-armed neighbors remain locked in a long-standing territorial dispute. Backed by radar footage and official statements, Pakistan’s claims have stirred national fervor and drawn global attention. India, while acknowledging some losses, disputes several PAF assertions and has ramped up forward deployments.

In modern warfare, air superiority offers strategic leverage—allowing control over airspace, deterring adversaries, and enabling precise operations. For Pakistan, this claim reflects not just a tactical win but a broader display of deterrent capability and aerial strength.

The Incident: Aerial Engagement Between PAF and IAF

In the early hours of May 7, 2025, the Pakistan Air Force and Indian Air Force were embroiled in a significant aerial confrontation, the result of escalating hostilities triggered by India's Operation Sindoor. The IAF had launched a series of missile strikes targeting alleged militant infrastructure inside Pakistani territory, leading to civilian casualties and global condemnation

Responding to what it termed an "unprovoked act of war," Pakistan launched retaliatory air operations.According to PAF media statements, the force downed three Rafale jets, one Sukhoi Su-30, one MiG-29, and an Israeli-made IAI Heron drone. Notably, one Rafale and the Su-30 were reported to have crashed near Ahmedpur East in Bahawalpur, while another Rafale was downed near Awantipora in Pulwama.

Aircraft Involved and Confirmed Losses

The recent high-stakes aerial confrontation between the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) unfolded over a series of rapid engagements, resulting in the confirmed downing of several Indian aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. This section delves deeply into which specific Pakistani aircraft and systems were involved, the Indian losses, and the strategic implications of those losses.

🇵🇰 Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Deployment & Systems

1. Fighter Aircraft Engaged:

   • JF-17 Thunder Block III
     Used by No. 14 Squadron, this jet—equipped with AESA radar and PL-15 missiles—shot down an IAF MiG-29 near the LoC (BOL News Report).

   • J-10C Vigorous Dragon
     Operated by No. 15 Squadron "Cobras," these jets successfully brought down two Rafales during the dogfights (GEO News).

   • F-16 Block 52
     Stationed at Shahbaz Airbase, one F-16 reportedly destroyed a Su-30MKI using AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM.

2. Air Defense Systems Deployed:

   • HQ-9P SAM
     Neutralized a high-altitude Heron UAV above Faisalabad, according to ISPR briefings.

   • LY-80 LOMADS
     Confirmed to have taken down two Indian quadcopters during recon over Bhimber sector.

   • Anza Mk-III MANPADS
     Used against low-altitude drones by Pakistani border units.

🇮🇳 Indian Air Force Losses

According to combined reports from GEO News, ARY News, BOL News, and regional defense correspondents:

Implications of the Losses

These confirmed shootdowns signify a substantial tactical success for the Pakistan Air Force and a setback for the Indian Air Force, both in terms of hardware and morale. The loss of advanced Rafale fighters, in particular, has raised questions about IAF’s deployment strategy and the aircraft’s operational survivability in contested airspace.

Furthermore, the effective use of both indigenous (Anza) and imported (HQ-9P, LY-80) air defense platforms reflects Pakistan’s growing self-reliance and multi-layered defense approach. The combination of air dominance fighters and SAM coverage proved decisive in deterring and neutralizing incursions.