Pakistan Strikes Indian Military Sites in Kashmir — U.S. Confirms Indian Jets Downed

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the Pakistani military launched precision strikes on three Indian military positions near the international border in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, using surface-to-surface missiles and combat drones, according to a statement from the Indian Army.

While India claimed the strikes caused no casualties or material losses, its Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed the closure of 24 civilian airports, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

In a major development, two senior U.S. officials told Reuters that a Chinese-made Pakistani J-10 fighter jet successfully shot down at least two Indian warplanes on Wednesday — marking a significant operational success for Chinese military aviation.

A Shift in Air Dominance? U.S. Eyes Chinese Jet Performance

U.S. officials noted that the incident provides valuable insight into the capabilities of Chinese-built aircraft compared to Western-made jets — a matter of keen interest amid rising geopolitical competition, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan regions.

One official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Pakistan used a J-10 to fire air-to-air missiles, downing at least two Indian jets.

Another U.S. official specified that one of the downed aircraft was a French-made Rafale, a jet recently acquired by India as part of its air superiority program.

Notably, both officials emphasized that U.S.-made F-16 jets, also in Pakistan’s arsenal, were not used in this particular operation — a point likely aimed at avoiding diplomatic tensions with the U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

Pakistan Confirms Use of Chinese Jet, Denies Indian Claims

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif confirmed Thursday that the J-10 was used to shoot down three Indian Rafale jets, calling it a defensive measure in response to recent Indian aggression.

India, for its part, has denied the loss of any aircraft, instead claiming its forces carried out successful airstrikes against alleged “terror infrastructure” inside Pakistan. However, this marks the first Western confirmation of Chinese jets downing Indian aircraft in live combat.

Indian sources, speaking to Reuters, admitted three Indian aircraft were downed, while Pakistan claimed it also brought down five Indian warplanes and a drone, in what analysts are calling the most intense flare-up since the 2021 ceasefire.

Civilian Death Toll Rises Amid Cross-Border Strikes

The renewed escalation follows Indian air and missile strikes inside Pakistani territory earlier this week. While India labeled the targets as “terror training camps,” Pakistani sources reported that mosques and civilian homes were struck, leaving at least 26 dead and 46 wounded, most of them civilians.

In retaliation, Pakistan launched counter-strikes, resulting in what India’s Defense Ministry claimed were 16 Indian civilian deaths and 59 injuries from Pakistani artillery. Pakistan rejected Indian claims of terrorist camps within its borders, calling the accusations “baseless provocations” meant to justify aggression.

The April 22 Bus Attack: Flashpoint for Escalation

Tensions reignited after a deadly bus bombing on April 22 in Indian-occupied Kashmir killed 26 local tourists. India swiftly blamed the Pakistani-backed group Jaish-e-Mohammed, a charge that Islamabad denied, calling the accusations “unfounded and politically motivated.”

Under increasing domestic pressure to respond, the Pakistani government has vowed a firm reaction to any future Indian breaches of sovereignty.

International Response: U.S. Calls for De-escalation

Washington has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, with the U.S. State Department spokesperson emphasizing the importance of respecting the ceasefire agreements signed in 2003 and renewed in 2021.

The Kashmir region, claimed by both countries, remains one of the most militarized and volatile regions on earth, having been the trigger for three wars between the nuclear-armed neighbors.