WASHINGTON D.C., US: Former US president Donald Trump has renewed controversy by once again amplifying his claim that “seven planes were shot down and an eighth badly damaged” during the May confrontation between Pakistan and India — a statement that continues to stir discussion in both countries.
Speaking at a recent public event, Trump revisited the tense exchange between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, insisting he was actively mediating at the time while negotiating trade deals with both states. He reiterated that the situation had escalated to the point where, according to him, multiple aircraft were lost, and that his intervention had prevented further escalation.
Trump’s repeated recounting of the incident mirrors previous statements he has made, in which he cited losses ranging from five to seven aircraft. His latest claim leans closer to Pakistan’s publicly asserted version of events, a point that has not gone unnoticed by regional observers.
However, the exact number of aircraft downed during the skirmish has never been jointly verified. Both Islamabad and New Delhi have maintained differing narratives, with neither side offering conclusive and publicly available evidence. Analysts note that Trump’s comments may reflect political positioning rather than an authoritative military brief.
Even so, his remarks have once again thrust the episode back into international conversation, prompting renewed debate over what actually unfolded in the disputed airspace. With no independent verification available, the competing claims remain part of the broader India-Pakistan rivalry that continues to shadow regional stability.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.