1. Introduction
On the night of May 6–7, 2025, a significant air battle erupted between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) over the skies of the India-Pakistan border, primarily in the contested region of Jammu and Kashmir. This conflict, one of the most intense aerial engagements between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, was triggered by escalating tensions following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Indian tourists. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups, prompting a retaliatory operation codenamed “Operation Sindoor.” The operation involved coordinated airstrikes targeting nine alleged terrorist sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The ensuing air battle, however, resulted in a decisive setback for the IAF, with the PAF demonstrating superior tactical and technological capabilities. This report provides a detailed analysis of the battle, focusing on the one-sided outcome, evidence of IAF aircraft losses, the technological disparities that shaped the conflict, and a comprehensive walk-through of the engagement’s dynamics.
PAF J-10CE fighter jets developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, China
The battle unfolded in the early hours of May 7, between 2:00 and 3:00 AM, under the cover of darkness, amplifying the challenges of situational awareness and coordination. The IAF deployed a large and diverse fleet, marking a significant escalation from previous skirmishes, such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike. However, the PAF’s response, leveraging advanced weaponry and integrated air defense systems, turned the engagement into a stark demonstration of modern aerial warfare’s reliance on technology and tactics. The conflict’s aftermath has raised critical questions about the IAF’s preparedness, the PAF’s rapid modernization, and the broader implications for regional stability in South Asia.
2. One-Sided Victory and Evidence of Rafale Losses and PL-15 Use
The air battle culminated in a clear and one-sided victory for the PAF, which claimed to have shot down five IAF aircraft—three Dassault Rafale multirole fighters, one Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and one Mikoyan MiG-29—along with an Israeli-origin Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The IAF, in contrast, reported no losses of its own and claimed to have successfully struck its intended targets, though it has not publicly acknowledged any aircraft losses. The PAF’s claims are supported by multiple pieces of evidence, including visual and physical remnants of downed aircraft. Images circulating online show wreckage, including a vertical stabilizer marked “Rafale BS001,” corresponding to the first Rafale delivered to India, and parts of a French-made MICA air-to-air missile still attached to its launcher, found near Bathinda Air Force Station in Punjab, approximately 20 km from a Rafale squadron base. Additionally, debris from a Rafale’s M88 engine has been identified in a field in Indian-administered Kashmir, further corroborating the loss of at least one Rafale.
Visual evidence of the crashed IAF Rafale fighter jet with tail number BS001
