KEY POINTS
- The USCC report said Pakistan achieved “military success” over India in May 2025 conflict.
- Pakistan downed several Indian aircraft, including Rafales.
- The commission said Pakistan targeted 109 Indian military positions during the clash.
WASHINGTON: Pakistan achieved a decisive “military success” over India during their four-day confrontation in May 2025, according to a report submitted to the US Congress.
The report finding marks one of the most explicit acknowledgements from a Washington body regarding Pakistan’s battlefield success in the conflict.
The assessment appears in the 2025 Report to Congress by the US–China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC).
The body reviews the national security implications of the bilateral economic and strategic relationship between the United States and China.
Rare acknowledgement from Washington
The report describes the 7–10 May conflict as “Pakistan’s military success” and states that Islamabad maintained an advantage throughout the clash. This is the first time any US institution has described the conflict in such terms.
The commission, in its report, stated Pakistan’s success “showcased Chinese weaponry” and drew global attention to Beijing’s expanding military partnership with Islamabad.
The conflict was the most serious escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours in more than 25 years.
Pakistan’s battlefield success
The USCC noted that, during the conflict, Pakistan used Chinese-made HQ-9 air defence systems, PL-15 air-to-air missiles and J-10 fighter aircraft in what became the first real-world combat test for several of these platforms.
According to the report, Pakistan downed Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets. Islamabad initially claimed that it shot down five Indian planes and later raised the tally to seven, including Rafales.
Pakistan said it suffered no aircraft losses of its own. India did not release an official count of its losses.
The commission also cited US President Donald Trump, who recently said that “eight planes were essentially shot down”. The report noted conflicting claims about the final number but confirmed that at least some Indian jets were destroyed.
The report further said Indonesia cancelled a planned purchase of Rafale aircraft after assessing the May conflict between Pakistan and India. It said the episode “damaged the global reputation” of the French fighter jet.
Pakistan targeted 109 Indian military positions
The report confirmed that the Pakistan military targeted 109 Indian military positions during the conflict.
India used a mix of French Rafale and Russian aircraft during the confrontation.
The confrontation began after an attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir. New Delhi linked the incident to Pakistan without presenting any evidence. Islamabad condemned the attack and strongly rejected the Indian allegations as baseless.
Pakistan also repeatedly offered an independent and neutral international investigation into the incident. However, India refused to accept Pakistan’s offer for an independent investigation and continued with its aggressive posture, jeopardising regional peace.
India then launched air strikes on various Pakistani cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on 7 May. Pakistan swiftly responded to the unprovoked Indian aggression. The two sides exchanged tit-for-tat strikes on each other’s airbases until the United States intervened on 10 May to secure a ceasefire.
