Lost Indian Rafale
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has officially disclosed the exact locations, names, GPS coordinates, and distances from the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) of all five Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft it asserts to have downed on May 7, 2025, marking a notable increase in military transparency and psychological warfare. The announcement, delivered via a press briefing broadcast on PTV News and validated by military statements, is already regarded as one of the most audacious revelations by the PAF in recent history.
The Pakistan Air Force reports that the downed aircraft comprise three Dassault Rafale fighter jets, one Sukhoi Su-30MKI, one MiG-29 UPG, and a substantial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), presumably an IAI Heron TP used by India for high-altitude Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The event signifies a significant decline in bilateral relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, bringing South Asia to the brink of a possible wider conflict.
Comprehensive Disclosure: Aircraft Positions and Coordinates
The PAF provided a comprehensive map to the media and defense attaché, detailing information for each downed platform.
1. Rafale Jet 1 Callsign: Viper-11
Crash Location: Proximate to Hajira, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Coordinates: 33.7847° N, 73.9183° E
Distance from the Line of Control: 8.5 km within Pakistani-administered territory
Recovery Status: Wreckage recovered, pilot killed in action
2. Rafale Jet 2 Callsign: Viper-12
Crash Location: Southwest of Rawalakot
Coordinates: 33.8572° N, 73.7684° E
Distance from the Line of Control: 6.2 km within Pakistani airspace
Recovery Status: Pilot ejected and in custody
3. Rafale Jet 3 Callsign: Viper-14
Crash Location: Bhimber District, north of Samahni
Coordinates: 33.0487° N, 74.1045° E
Proximity to the Line of Control: 10.3 kilometers
Recovery Status: Complete destruction, both pilots deceased
4. Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Callsign: Steel-07
Crash Location: North of Khuiratta
Coordinates: 33.4382° N, 74.0111° E
Distance from the Line of Control: 5.9 kilometers
Recovery Status: Indian Search and Rescue rescued one pilot, but one is still missing.
5. MiG-29 UPG Callsign: Hawk-21
Crash Location: Proximate to Leepa Valley
Coordinates: 34.0589° N, 73.9231° E
Distance from the Line of Control: 11.6 kilometers
Recovery Status: Pilot deceased, wreckage partially retrieved
6. IAI Heron TP Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Callsign: Hermes-Alpha
Crash Location: South of Kotli, Azad Kashmir
Coordinates: 33.5013° N, 74.1409° E
Distance from the Line of Control: 14.7 kilometers
Recovery Status: Complete recovery, confirmed ISR operation
Intensifying Aerial Conflict
This week marks the inaugural occasion on which Pakistan has publicly announced multiple high-value air asset eliminations in a single day since the 2019 Balakot air conflict. Pakistan characterised the incident on May 7th as a “decisive aerial interception operation,” allegedly initiated when Indian Rafales violated Pakistani airspace during what Delhi referred to as a “tactical deep penetration patrol.”
The intruding aircraft engaged the Pakistani JF-17 Block III and J-10CE aircraft in a high-velocity dogfight near the Line of Control. As stated by PAF spokesperson Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Farooq, “It was a meticulously coordinated multi-domain response involving airborne early warning, electronic warfare, and kinetic platforms.” We operated in self-defence, adhering strictly to the rules of engagement.
Indian Silence and Strategic Considerations
The Pakistani narrative has been vocal and comprehensive, whereas the Indian Air Force and Ministry of Defence have exercised a cautious reticence. The loss of the five aircraft and UAVs has not received any formal recognition. The Indian media has reported the disappearance of several aircraft and pilots, but they have not established a direct connection to the aerial operations on May 7.
Unofficial sources within Indian defense circles indicate that the IAF has incurred “significant operational losses,” though they dispute the precise number of downed platforms. Certain analysts contend that India may be formulating a more comprehensive retaliatory strategy before publicly recognising the setback.
Responses at Regional and Global Levels
The incident has swiftly garnered international attention, prompting calls for restraint from the United States, China, Russia, and the United Nations. While advocating “de-escalation through diplomatic dialogue,” Beijing has demonstrated implicit support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
Washington, conversely, has implored both New Delhi and Islamabad to “independently verify all claims” and eschew media sensationalism that may exacerbate public sentiment. Russia, an arms supplier to both nations, has allegedly proposed to mediate a confidential discussion between the two air forces to avert additional losses of advanced aircraft such as the Rafale and Su-30MKI.
The United Nations Security Council conducted a private consultation to evaluate the potential escalation of broader conflicts. No formal resolution was adopted; however, numerous diplomats articulated apprehension regarding the proximity of nuclear-capable platforms to conflict zones.
Strategic Consequences
The Pakistan Air Force’s public disclosure of precise crash coordinates seems intended to achieve three goals:
- Military Credibility: By disclosing specific locations, the PAF aims to refute any Indian denial of the casualties.
- Psychological Pressure: The act of naming, shaming, and displaying downed Rafales—India’s esteemed assets—aims to influence morale.
- Pakistan seeks to establish: itself as both a victim of airspace infringement and an effective responder.
If independently verified, this incident signifies a pivotal moment in the history of aerial combat in South Asia. Never before has a single-day engagement led to the destruction of three 4.5-generation fighters, such as the Rafale, regarded as one of the most sophisticated platforms in Asia.
The Tactical Evolution of Pakistan
Retired Air Marshal Shahid Latif stated, “This event demonstrates that the PAF is no longer the subordinate air force in the region.” Our JF-17 Block III and J-10C squadrons, equipped with AESA radar and electronic warfare capabilities, are redefining the air combat doctrine in South Asia.
He further stated that the successful interception of India’s Heron TP UAV indicates that the PAF has either procured or developed domestic counter-UAV systems equipped with sophisticated jamming and detection capabilities.
The Path Forward
As both parties are now on high alert and air patrols have reportedly intensified along the Line of Control and International Border, analysts caution that the situation remains perilously unstable. While India has not yet responded militarily, analysts anticipate an asymmetric retaliation—potentially in the cyber, space, or maritime arenas.
Pakistan’s promise to share detailed battle information suggests it might have undeniable electronic proof, possibly from onboard radar logs and AWACS systems. Consequently, India may encounter escalating international pressure to react with transparency.
Final Assessment
The Pakistan Air Force’s disclosure of the locations, names, and coordinates of five Indian fighter jets shot down on May 7, 2025, signifies a perilous escalation in Indo-Pak relations. As both countries adjust their aerial strategies and public communications, the region and the global community will observe attentively. We have yet to determine whether this incident triggers a comprehensive conflict or prompts a hesitant re-engagement in diplomacy.
References
- PTV News (Pakistan’s state media) – Air Force Press Conference Broadcast
https://www.ptv.com.pk - Pakistan Ministry of Defence – Official Military Statements
https://mod.gov.pk - Defense News Today—Coverage on Indo-Pak Air Conflict
https://www.defensenewstoday.info - Facebook Group: Pakistan Defence Forum
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pakistandefenseforum - The Times of India—Report on Missing Indian Aircraft (Unofficial)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com - Al Jazeera – South Asia Conflict Reporting
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/ - Reuters—International Reaction to Indo-Pak Clashes
https://www.reuters.com - The Diplomat—Strategic Analysis of Indo-Pak Military Doctrines
https://thediplomat.com
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