Pakistan has announced the destruction of a sixth Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet, specifically a Mirage 2000, during a fierce aerial confrontation on the night of May 6-7 near Pampore, east of Srinagar in the disputed Kashmir region.
This declaration, made by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif during his visit to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Kamra, signifies a notable success for the Pakistan Air Force, raising the total number of Indian aircraft reportedly downed to six, which includes three of India’s advanced Rafale jets. Previously, Islamabad had reported the downing of five IAF aircraft in the early phases of the conflict, consisting of three Rafales, one MiG-29, and a Su-30MKI, all crucial elements of India’s air power.
Rawalpindi, 15 May 2025
The Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (#COAS) and Chief of the Naval Staff, PM was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Minister of… pic.twitter.com/lz9TS7Larr
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) May 15, 2025
Prime Minister Sharif stated, ‘The confirmed downing of a sixth IAF jet, a Mirage 2000 near Pampore on the night of May 6/7, once again highlights the superior combat capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force and the steadfast determination of our Armed Forces to protect the homeland at all costs.’ While the Prime Minister did not specify the aircraft or missile system responsible for this latest downing, defense analysts suggest that the operation was likely carried out by a PAF J-10C using a Chinese-made PL-15 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, similar to the tactics employed in the reported takedown of the three Indian Rafales.
Salute to #Pakistan Air Force for protecting the nation when the country needed you the most, the whole nation is proud of you all
When it comes to the defence of the country, Pak Armed Forces will always perform with 100% accuracy in comparison to our cricket team
Pak vs Ind… pic.twitter.com/29v9KTXLUy
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) May 15, 2025
The J-10C, an advanced multirole fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, is equipped with AESA radar and stealth features, serving as a key component of Pakistan’s advanced BVR interception capabilities alongside its indigenous JF-17 ‘Thunder.’ The JF-17 Block III variant, also utilized in the current conflict, is capable of deploying PL-15E missiles, reflecting Pakistan’s increasing focus on self-sufficient, network-centric combat aviation.
The Mirage 2000 and Rafale, both developed by Dassault Aviation, serve as essential assets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Their reported destruction significantly undermines New Delhi’s conventional deterrent capabilities, both psychologically and operationally.
During a visit to the base, Prime Minister Sharif met with Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots who were credited with downing all six Indian aircraft, which included three Rafales, one MiG-29, one Su-30MKI, and the most recent, a Mirage 2000.
To this point, India has not provided any formal response to Pakistan’s assertions regarding the downing of the Mirage 2000 over Pampore, despite increasing international scrutiny and emerging digital forensic evidence. Even with the accumulation of imagery and open-source verification suggesting multiple losses, Indian defense officials have refrained from publicly acknowledging the claimed six aircraft losses. When asked about the status of the three downed Rafales, IAF senior commander Air Marshal A.K. Bharti responded, “We are in a wartime scenario; losses are part of the battle,” a statement interpreted by many analysts as an implicit acknowledgment.
For regional military observers, the ambiguity of Bharti’s statement further bolsters the credibility of Pakistan’s account of the shootdowns. In a press briefing during the early stages of the conflict, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar asserted that PAF fighters had engaged a significant Indian aerial deployment of 75 to 80 aircraft, marking it as the largest air combat exchange in South Asian history. Dar claimed that all five (now six) aircraft initially reported downed by Pakistan, including three Rafales, were neutralized using long-range PL-15E missiles launched from the PAF’s J-10C fleet.
The PL-15E, which is China’s most advanced air-to-air missile available for export, features a dual-pulse motor, achieves speeds over Mach 4, and is equipped with an AESA radar seeker, providing it with significant advantages in high-speed beyond-visual-range engagements.
Designed specifically to counter adversaries utilizing advanced AEW&C support and stealth technology, the PL-15 has emerged as a vital component of the airpower strategies of China and its allies, including the Pakistan Air Force.
Recent independent confirmations of Pakistan’s assertions have started to appear from international sources. According to U.S. officials familiar with the situation, ‘Pakistan’s J-10C fighters were credited with downing at least two Indian Air Force aircraft,’ as reported by Reuters. Additional validation came from CNN’s seasoned national security correspondent Jim Sciutto, who referenced French intelligence indicating that at least one Indian Rafale was shot down during these confrontations.
If confirmed, this would represent the first verified combat loss of a Rafale globally, significantly changing the narrative surrounding the aircraft’s perceived invincibility and ushering in a new era in contemporary air combat. India initially procured the Mirage 2000 from Dassault Aviation in the 1980s to enhance its strategic strike capabilities, with the aircraft demonstrating its effectiveness during the 1999 Kargil War in precision bombing operations in the Himalayas. The Indian Air Force currently operates approximately 50 Mirage 2000s across various models, including the single-seat 2000H and twin-seat 2000TH variants, primarily stationed at Gwalior Air Force Station in Madhya Pradesh. The elite Squadrons No. 1 ‘Tigers’ and No. 7 ‘Battle Axes’ are tasked with operating these legacy aircraft, which have received significant upgrades in avionics and weapon systems.
India’s Mirage 2000 aircraft have been upgraded with advanced electronic warfare capabilities, modern glass cockpits, and integration with MICA radar-guided beyond visual range missiles and AS-30L precision air-to-ground munitions, ensuring their effectiveness in contemporary aerial missions. Equipped with a single SNECMA M53-P2 engine that produces 95 kN of thrust with afterburner, the Mirage 2000 can exceed speeds of Mach 2.2 and has a combat radius of around 1,550 km, which can be increased with external fuel tanks or aerial refueling. With two DEFA 30mm cannons and the ability to carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, the Mirage 2000 continues to be a versatile and formidable multirole fighter even after more than forty years of service.
However, if Pakistan’s assertion is proven true, the loss of a Mirage 2000, along with several Rafales, could indicate a significant change in the regional air power dynamics and highlight the growing threat posed by Chinese-supplied platforms and armaments to Western-supplied systems in South Asia.
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