A former Chinese defence attaché has ridiculed India’s delayed claim of shooting down six Pakistani aircraft during the May conflict, calling it “self-amusement” and lacking any credible evidence.

Three months after the clashes, Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh claimed on Saturday that the Indian Air Force had downed five Pakistani fighter jets and one other military aircraft.

Cheng Xizhong, a former Chinese defence attaché in South Asia and now a senior research fellow at the Charhar Institute, described Singh’s remarks as “comical, implausible and unconvincing.” Speaking to the Associated Press of Pakistan, Cheng said, “The Indian side has not presented any evidence — no photos of wreckage, no radar data — while Pakistan had previously provided extensive proof of shooting down Indian jets.”

Wreckage of Indian Jet in Pakistan, which Pakistan claimed to have shot down / File Image

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif swiftly rejected Singh’s “belated assertions,” insisting that “not a single Pakistani aircraft was hit or destroyed,” and reiterating Pakistan’s claim of downing six Indian planes.

Cheng further noted that India had never substantiated its claims, whereas Pakistan “immediately provided a detailed technical report to the international media” following the clashes. He also pointed to statements from world leaders, senior Indian politicians, and foreign intelligence assessments indicating that India suffered significant losses, including multiple aircraft.

Reports from international media following the May 7 air battle appeared to corroborate Pakistan’s version. The Washington Post, citing visual evidence, reported that at least two French-made Indian fighter jets were downed by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). France’s Air Chief, General Jerome Bellanger, has said he has seen evidence of the loss of three Indian fighters, including a Rafale. Reuters also highlighted an Indian intelligence failure that led to Rafales being shot down by PAF J-10 fighters armed with PL-15 missiles.

PAF officials claimed that within 40 minutes, three Rafales, one Su-30MKI, and one MiG-29 were downed, all without Pakistani jets crossing the border.

In India, Singh’s statement drew political criticism, with Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera questioning the timing and circumstances of the claim.

 

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