Both sides engage in propaganda.

Fighters are all equipped with video (gun & missile) which can tape all encounters. All they need to do is release the engagement video to confirm losses.

Otherwise, the only confirmation that should be accepted is where the opposing pilot can be produced eg Balakot or the remains which show serials can be identified. Even photos of crashed plane can be faked eg they use pics from past crashes, not current.

It should be noted that in all Pak-Indian engagements, both sides will always counter-claim.

Salty.

Lots of misinfo out there.

I've read an account that India used stand off weapons. They have Israeli and French bombs like Hammer/SCALP that can hit targets 70-250km from launch. The whole of Pakistani occupied Kashmir is only 270km from Afghan border to Indian-held Kashmir border.

So India doesn't really need to enter Pakistani airspace to launch missiles/stand off weaponry. Pakistan is not likely to engage incoming airplanes that haven't entered their airspace so the likelihood of actual air combat is very likely minimal.

It is possible that Pakistani air force had engaged the launched weapons instead and down a few, especially since many of those are sub-sonic ie slow which may have resulted in the inflated claims of shootdowns.

Considering the state of India's air force, they are unlikely to want to repeat Balakot and a stand off strategy is a safer option.

Now waiting to see how Pakistan responds.

When Bharat air crashes happen in peacetime, their news media will be all over it, full pics & coverage.

The so-called coverage on this strike = no indication of locations etc. The only location cited "Bhatinda" has been clarified to be pics from past crash, not current.

So far nothing firm to indicate losses on either side.

US planes "drop" into sea ....Twice.

That story is real.

Kashmir only 270km. IAF no need to go into Pakistani airspace to hit targets.

There is no indication of airspace violations. Strikes seem to be launched from within Indian air space.

P.s. PAF can also do the same in return.

Indian authorities tight-lipped over Bathinda crash.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chand...6583826798.html

Noted that several Indian news sources have confirmed the crash.

One more crash at Pampore, Kashmir reported by BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cvg7gdpqr92o

This post has been edited by takbodoh722: May 7 2025, 05:42 PM

J&K local govt sources confirmed to reuters that 3 fighters crashed.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/...say-2025-05-07/

Pakistani claims appear to be:

Rafale down by HQ-9 at Pampore.
Su-30 down by JF17C/PL-15 at Akhnoor
Rafale down by J-10C/PL-15 at Bhatinda
Mig-29 down by JF17C/PL-15 at Ramban
Jaguar down by ?/PL-15 at Punjab border

So far only Bhatinda claims are persuasive. Likely aircraft down at Pampore but type unknown.

India has locked down its media (a sign that there were several losses).