Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected as “implausible” Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh’s claims that India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a military aircraft during clashes in May. Asif said no Pakistani aircraft was lost, asserting instead that Pakistan downed six Indian jets, S-400 systems, and drones, while crippling several airbases. He highlighted that Pakistan had provided technical evidence to international media, backed by foreign intelligence, confirming Indian losses. Asif urged both countries to allow independent verification of aircraft inventories, warning that false narratives risk dangerous miscalculations in a nuclear environment. Former diplomat Dr Maleeha Lodhi also dismissed the IAF chief’s remarks as “laughable” and questioned the delay in making such claims.