Three Indian fighter jets crashed in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday night, multiple local government sources told Reuters, confirming reports of aerial losses amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The crashes occurred just hours after New Delhi claimed to have targeted nine sites in Pakistan, which it alleged were linked to militant infrastructure. In response, Pakistan strongly rejected the accusations and said it had no such camps on its territory.
According to a Pakistani military spokesperson quoted by Reuters, Pakistan’s air defense successfully shot down five Indian aircraft during the exchange. While India has not yet confirmed the losses, four separate local officials in Indian-administered Kashmir independently verified that three jets went down in separate incidents across the Himalayan region.
The incidents mark a serious escalation in hostilities following India’s military operation, dubbed “Operation Sindoor.” Pakistan termed the move an “act of war,” and responded by targeting Indian military positions across the border.
No official casualty figures have been released by the Indian government, but local reports suggest the pilots involved in the crashes were hospitalized. International observers have expressed growing concern over the worsening situation, calling for immediate de-escalation.
More developments are expected as both sides assess damage and international pressure mounts for restraint.