India-Pakistan Tensions Flare: Indian Air Force Shoots Down Pakistani Aircraft Amid Border Escalation
Date: May 10, 2025 | Author: Abhishek Sharma
New Delhi/Islamabad – Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharply on Friday following an aerial encounter along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, where the Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly shot down a Pakistani military aircraft that had allegedly violated Indian airspace.
According to official sources from the Indian Ministry of Defence, the incident occurred around 10:15 AM IST when an early warning system detected the unauthorized entry of a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jet near the Rajouri sector. The IAF scrambled its Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft from a forward base, engaging the intruding jet after multiple radio warnings went unanswered.
“After repeated warnings and aerial maneuvers, the Indian Air Force successfully neutralized the threat by downing the Pakistani aircraft within Indian-controlled airspace,” said Air Vice Marshal Sandeep Malhotra during a press briefing in New Delhi. He confirmed that Indian forces maintained restraint and only engaged after clear rules of engagement were followed.
Pakistan, however, has denied the allegations of airspace violation. A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, claimed that the aircraft was conducting a routine patrol within Pakistani territory and was “unjustly targeted by India without provocation.” The statement also claimed that the Pakistani pilot ejected safely and was rescued.
Both nations have since increased surveillance and military readiness along the LoC, raising concerns among the international community about a potential flare-up. In a televised address, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “India is fully prepared to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty. We are not seeking conflict but will not tolerate aggression of any kind.”
The Indian External Affairs Ministry has summoned the Pakistani High Commissioner to register a formal protest, citing a breach of the 2003 ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, reports indicate that India has lodged a complaint with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
This incident marks the most serious escalation since the February 2019 Balakot airstrike and subsequent aerial dogfight between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Security analysts fear that the current standoff could destabilize the fragile peace that has held for over two years since the February 2021 ceasefire reaffirmation.
Former Indian diplomat Rajiv Dogra told ANI, “This is a serious breach and a stark reminder that peace in the subcontinent remains precarious. Diplomatic channels must be activated immediately to prevent further escalation.”
In Islamabad, the Pakistani Prime Minister convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to review the situation. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office said Pakistan is considering “all options” in response to what it called an “act of aggression.”
On the ground, civilian populations in border districts have been advised to remain indoors, with several schools closed and transport routes diverted as a precautionary measure. Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have confirmed that no casualties were reported on the Indian side, and recovery teams are assessing the debris from the downed aircraft.
International reactions have begun to surface, with the United Nations and the United States urging both countries to exercise restraint. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “immediate de-escalation” and encouraged both sides to resolve their issues through dialogue.
As the world watches closely, the need for cool heads and backchannel diplomacy has never been more urgent. With both India and Pakistan equipped with nuclear weapons, even a limited conflict risks spiraling into a far more dangerous confrontation.
Stay tuned to Khabri24.com for real-time updates, expert analysis, and exclusive reports on this developing story.