For the first time, an Indian official has acknowledged the loss of Indian warplanes during a major aerial engagement with Pakistan on May 7, 2025. Captain Shiv Kumar of the Indian Navy, speaking at a seminar in Jakarta, confirmed that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets shot down Indian aircraft during the large-scale dogfight.

According to The Wire, While Kumar did not specify the number of planes lost, stating only that reports of losses were exaggerated, his admission represents a significant departure from previous Indian statements. He attributed the losses to “political constraints” imposed by the Indian government, claiming that Prime Minister Modi’s administration had ordered the Indian Air Force (IAF) not to target Pakistani military installations or air defense systems. This, Kumar argued, gave Pakistan a tactical advantage.

The admission has sparked controversy in India. However, Kumar defended the IAF’s actions, stating that after initial losses, tactics were adjusted to target military installations following the suppression of enemy air defenses. He claimed that this allowed subsequent attacks using Brahmos missiles to succeed.

Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, speaking separately in Singapore, shifted the focus from the number of lost jets to the reasons behind the losses, emphasizing the need to understand the strategic context.

The PAF previously reported shooting down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale jets, during the May 7 clash. This followed an Indian missile strike on multiple locations across Pakistan. The confrontation occurred in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan, a claim Pakistan denied. The incident marked one of the most serious military escalations between India and Pakistan in recent years. India’s opposition Congress party criticized the Modi government for its handling of the situation and for allegedly misleading the public about the extent of the losses.