In a significant escalation of hostilities, India and Pakistan engaged in a massive aerial confrontation on May 7, 2025, involving approximately 125 fighter jets from both nations. The dogfight, which lasted over an hour, is being described by Pakistani sources as one of the largest and longest in recent aviation history.
The aerial battle was triggered by India’s launch of “Operation Sindoor,” a series of missile strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India stated that these strikes were in retaliation for a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. Pakistan condemned the strikes as an act of war and vowed to respond accordingly.
According to a senior Pakistani security official, the dogfight involved 125 fighter jets from both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The engagement reportedly lasted over an hour, with missile exchanges occurring at distances of up to 160 kilometers.
Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian jets, including three Rafale fighters, a Su-30MKI, and a MiG-29. Debris from Chinese-made PL-15E long-range air-to-air missiles was reportedly found in India’s Punjab region, suggesting the use of Pakistan’s J-10C fighters equipped with these missiles.
India has not confirmed the loss of any aircraft but stated that its strikes were aimed at terrorist infrastructure and were conducted with precision to avoid civilian casualties.
The conflict led to significant disruptions in civil aviation. Numerous international and domestic flights were rerouted or canceled due to safety concerns. Airlines such as United Airlines, Korean Air, and Lufthansa altered their flight paths to avoid the affected airspace. India closed around a dozen airports, and Pakistan reported 57 international flights in its airspace during the incident.
The international community has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United States, China, Russia, and other countries have urged both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to prevent further escalation.
