India shoots down Pakistan’s F-16 and two JF-17 fighter jets
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian defense forces successfully repelled attempted aerial strikes by the Pakistan Air Force, resulting in the downing of one F-16 fighter jet and two JF-17 aircraft belonging to Pakistan, according to government sources.
On Thursday, Pakistan attempted attacks across several regions in Jammu and Punjab. Indian air defense systems responded swiftly, intercepting and destroying incoming drones. A Pakistan Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) aircraft was also reportedly shot down by Indian forces over Punjab province, with the aircraft crashing on Pakistani soil.
The Indian military thwarted multiple provocative actions by Pakistan across various locations. In Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), drone attacks were foiled, while in Akhnoor, one drone was shot down. Indian forces also neutralized two drones in Poonch. A Pakistani F-16 fighter jet was brought down using a surface-to-air missile system near the Sargodha air base in Pakistan, government sources revealed. These F-16s, manufactured by Lockheed Martin in the late 1980s, were also used by Pakistan during the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.
Earlier on Thursday night, Pakistan attempted a missile strike near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Indian air defense systems responded promptly, activating the region’s protective network and intercepting the incoming threat mid-air. Over 70 missiles were destroyed in the air, thereby preventing any ground damage, according to credible sources.
Further escalating the situation, Pakistan launched simultaneous attacks on several locations, including the airport in Jammu. On Thursday night, rockets were fired across the international border targeting Jammu. A drone struck the Jammu Civil Airport, prompting immediate deployment of combat aircraft. Indian air defense systems successfully intercepted the incoming rockets.
On Thursday evening, Pakistani forces initiated provocative gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Samba, and Uri districts. The S-400 air defense system intercepted eight missiles fired by Pakistan at areas including Jammu airport, Samba, RS Pura, Arnia, and their surroundings. Two Pakistani drones were downed near Jammu University.
The Integrated Defence Staff issued a statement regarding the developments: “Pakistan attempted attacks using missiles and drones on military installations located near the international border in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. No damage was reported. As per standard operating procedures, the Indian Armed Forces neutralized the threats through both kinetic and non-kinetic means,” the statement said.
Notably, Pakistan undertook this aggressive maneuver within 48 hours of India's launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.