Trump Revises Jet Count in India-Pakistan Conflict, — Former US President Donald Trump has once again revised his claims regarding the number of fighter jets downed during the three-day India-Pakistan conflict in May. Speaking at a business forum in Miami, Trump asserted that eight aircraft were shot down during the brief but intense confrontation, which he claims to have helped end through diplomatic and trade pressure.
Trump’s Latest Claim: “Eight Planes Were Shot Down”
Addressing the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump said:
“I was in the middle of a trade deal with both India and Pakistan when I heard they were going to war. Seven planes were shot down, and the eighth was really badly wounded… Eight planes were shot down, essentially.”
This statement marks the third time Trump has revised his count of aircraft lost during the conflict. Initially, he claimed five jets were destroyed, later increasing the number to seven during an event in Tokyo.
India and Pakistan’s Conflicting Claims
During the Operation Sindoor (May 7–10), both India and Pakistan reported conflicting figures about aircraft losses.
- India acknowledged limited losses but asserted that 8–10 Pakistani fighter jets, including F-16s and JF-17s, were destroyed both in the air and on the ground.
- Pakistan, on the other hand, downplayed its losses and claimed that it had effectively countered Indian airstrikes.
Trump Takes Credit for “Stopping a Nuclear War”
Trump once again took credit for preventing what he described as a potential nuclear conflict between the two nations.
“They are two nuclear powers,” Trump said. “I told them, ‘I’m not doing any trade deals with you unless you agree to peace.’ They said no way. I said, ‘Then we’re not trading if you’re at war.’”
While Pakistan has often praised Trump’s “peacemaking” efforts, India has repeatedly dismissed his claims, insisting that the ceasefire was achieved through direct diplomatic communication rather than US mediation.
A Familiar Pattern of Exaggeration
Over the past few months, Trump has repeated his story more than 60 times, often with changing numbers and new details. His remarks frequently resurface at business forums and campaign events, where he highlights his self-proclaimed role in preventing wars.
Bottom Line
Trump’s fluctuating accounts of the India-Pakistan conflict continue to raise eyebrows, blending elements of diplomacy, trade, and self-promotion. Both nations have stuck to their official narratives, while Trump’s ever-changing numbers remain unverified and controversial.
