Over 100 Fighter Jets Engaged in Major India-Pakistan Aerial Clash: PAF Confirms
ISLAMABAD, May 10, 2025 – In what is being described as one of the largest aerial engagements in recent history, more than 100 fighter jets from India and Pakistan were involved in a fierce dogfight on May 6 and 7, Pakistani officials confirmed during a press briefing on Friday.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) revealed that both countries deployed over 100 jets in a battle that lasted more than an hour. A senior security source told CNN that approximately 125 fighter jets participated, with missile exchanges at ranges up to 160 kilometers (100 miles).
Despite the intensity, neither side crossed into the other’s airspace, reportedly to avoid a full-blown conflict similar to the 2019 clash that resulted in an Indian pilot being captured by Pakistan.
The recent confrontation follows heightened tensions after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistani officials claimed that one of the five Indian aircraft shot down was hit by a ground-based air defense system. Islamabad also disclosed that it had deployed Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missiles during the skirmish.
Audio recordings allegedly from downed Indian Rafale jets were released by PAF, adding another layer of intrigue to the dramatic clash. Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed presented the tapes, stating that Pakistani forces had anticipated Rafale involvement and targeted them specifically.
“We had a plan. India had said they would deploy Rafales, and that’s why we targeted them. We could have brought down more, but we exercised restraint,” Ahmed noted, emphasizing that training and leadership are just as critical as equipment in such operations.
While Pakistan has made bold claims about the encounter, the Indian Air Force has yet to respond officially.
CNN and Newsweek both reported the scale of the clash as extraordinary, with experts noting that such large-scale air battles are exceedingly rare in modern times, especially between nuclear-armed neighbors.
The White House responded to the incident, confirming ongoing communication with leaders in both countries. A spokesperson for President Donald Trump stated that the administration is pushing for rapid de-escalation to prevent further conflict.