Key points
- Prof Christine Fair was responding to Indian claims about shooting down of PAF planes
- PAF shot down five Indian fighter jets including three French-made Rafale
- We are living in 21st century, not the 18th—every action leaves a trace: DG ISPR
ISLAMABAD: American Defence analyst Professor C Christine Fair has called Indian Air Force Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal Bharti’s claims about shooting down of Pakistan Air Force planes as, “nonsense”.
Responding to a question by an Indian anchorperson Karan Thapar in a TV programme about Indian Air Force Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal Bharti’s claims, Professor Fair called Indian Air Force Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal Bharti claims as, “bakwas” or “nonsense”.
Different social media platforms shared the video of the analyst’s response.
American Defense Analyst Professor C. Christine Fair calls Indian Air Force Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal Bharti claims as, “BAKWAS” 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1Hno9HN8Em
— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) May 15, 2025
Earlier, an “unprecedented air battle” between Pakistani and Indian air forces took place over the night between May 6 and 7 when India attacked Pakistan, targeting multiple locations including places of worship and homes.
Responding to the attacks, Pakistan Air Force shot down five Indian fighter jets including three French-made Rafale fighters, one MiG-29 and one Su-30 aircraft.
“Irrefutable evidence”
The dogfight lasted for over an hour, making it one of the longest aerial clashes in modern aviation history according to CNN.
In a joint press conference on May 09, 2025, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, along with Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Director General Public Relations Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed and Naval Staff (Operations) Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, revealed what they described as “irrefutable evidence” of the downing of five Indian fighter jets during the prolonged aerial confrontation over the night between May 6-7.
READ ALSO: Pakistan Releases Evidence of Downed Indian Jets
“Despite India’s claims, several Indian news outlets initially reported the crashes, only for those reports to be taken down shortly afterwards, under pressure from the Modi government,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general (DG) said.
Compelling evidence
During the press briefing, Pakistani officials presented footage and other material evidence, including tail numbers and crash site coordinates, to substantiate their claims.
Among the most compelling evidence, they said, was the tail fin of a Rafale jet identified as part of the Indian Air Force’s 17 Golden Arrows Squadron, labelled BS-001.
Video clips also showed a damaged engine, which Pakistani officials said belonged to one of the destroyed Indian aircraft.
“We are living in the 21st century, not the 18th—every action leaves a trace,” Lt General Chaudhry said, emphasising the forensic reliability of the debris shown.
