Trump Claims 10 Fighter Jets Shot Down in PAK-Indo Conflict

WEB DESK: Former US president Donald Trump has asserted that up to 10 fighter jets were shot down during the recent conflict between Pakistan and India — a figure that doubles his initial estimate — while claiming that his tariff strategy helped prevent a wider war.

Speaking on Fox Business, Trump reiterated his record on settling conflicts, saying, “I settled eight wars. Of the eight wars, at least six were settled because of tariffs.” He explained that he had warned foreign leaders of tariff consequences to discourage further violence, noting, “In other words, I said if you don’t settle this war I’m going to charge you tariffs, because I don’t want to see people getting killed.”

Referring to the Pakistan-India confrontation, Trump said, “Like India and Pakistan — it would have been a nuclear war in my opinion. They were really going at it. Ten planes were shot down. They were going at it.”

Trump also claimed that Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, had acknowledged that Trump’s actions saved “at least 10 million lives” by preventing the crisis from spiralling into nuclear conflict, adding, “Without tariffs, that would not have happened.”

While Trump has taken credit — including from Pakistan’s side — for helping to end the crisis, India has not recognised the former US president’s role in the de-escalation. The Pakistani government had in fact nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in connection with his involvement.

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The May 2025 military confrontation between Pakistan and India marked the worst clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in decades. The conflict was triggered by a terrorist attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, which New Delhi alleged was backed by Pakistan. Islamabad denied involvement and offered to take part in a neutral investigation into the incident that killed 26 men.

During the clashes, Pakistan reportedly shot down several Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and a number of drones. After intense fighting lasting at least 87 hours, the conflict ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.