Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has confirmed that India lost fighter jets during the May 7–10, 2025 conflict with Pakistan—marking the first official acknowledgment of such losses by top Indian military leadership. However, he firmly dismissed Pakistan’s claim of downing six Indian aircraft, including Rafales, calling it “absolutely incorrect.”
Responding to the claims at a press conference on May 11, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO), said, “Losses are a part of any combat scenario. I am happy you asked these questions. We are in a combat scenario and losses are a part of it. The question is—have we achieved our objective? The answer is a thumping yes," he stated when asked about reports concerning Rafale jets.
Gen Chauhan explained that the focus should not be on the number of jets lost but rather on the tactical missteps that led to the initial setbacks. He noted that once these early mistakes were corrected, the Indian Air Force resumed operations and carried out successful high-precision strikes, targeting key infrastructure up to 300 kilometers deep within Pakistani territory.
He also emphasized that India's ability to quickly adapt and recover demonstrated the resilience and professionalism of its armed forces. When asked about the exact number of jets lost, Gen Chauhan declined to provide figures, insisting that the focus should be on the operational gains and lessons learned.
Addressing concerns about nuclear escalation, the CDS dismissed such fears as “far-fetched,” adding that communication lines between the two nations remained open throughout the hostilities to prevent further escalation.