Fri May 09 08:00:00 UTC 2025: ## India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims of Downed Rafale Jets After Cross-Border Raid
**NEW DELHI** – India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed Pakistan’s claims of shooting down Indian Rafale fighter jets during a cross-border operation conducted on the night of May 6-7. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Pakistan’s assertions are part of a disinformation campaign, characteristic of the nation’s history. He declined to comment on specifics of the operation, codenamed “Operation Sindhur,” stating that details would be released at an appropriate time.
The operation targeted nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and other officials have claimed to have downed three Rafale jets, a claim categorically denied by India. Misri highlighted Pakistan’s history of misinformation, citing the 1947 invasion of Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistan initially claimed the incursion was by tribal groups, only to later admit the involvement of its military.
Misri also refuted Pakistan’s claims that only civilians were killed in the Indian strikes on May 7th. He emphasized that the targets were solely terrorist infrastructure, including facilities used to train and celebrate terrorists. He further accused Pakistan of deliberately targeting Sikh religious sites in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically mentioning an attack on a Gurudwara in Poonch, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to many others. The total civilian death toll in Poonch is reported as 16.
Regarding accusations that India targeted the Neelam-Jhelum dam project, Misri labeled these claims as “false and fabricated,” reiterating that only terrorist infrastructure was targeted. He warned that any further attempts by Pakistan to target Indian infrastructure would result in a strong response from India.
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