Indian Chief of Defense Staff Anil Chauhan confirmed on May 31 that an Indian fighter jet had been downed during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. He stressed that the focus should be on understanding the reasons behind the downing of the aircraft rather than the number of planes lost. Chauhan stated that tactical errors have been corrected, and subsequent strikes have been successfully carried out.

While addressing Pakistan's claim of downing six Indian aircraft, including the French-made Rafale jet, Chauhan firmly denied this assertion, stating it was "absolutely incorrect." Referring to whether an Indian aircraft was shot down by a J-10C, he did not respond directly.

The situation escalated following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, which resulted in 26 fatalities, most of whom were tourists. As tensions flared, both nations engaged in a four-day military conflict beginning on May 7, exchanging fire across the border in the contested Kashmir region, with each side claiming to have downed enemy aircraft. Fearing that the conflict might escalate to nuclear war, the international community, including the United States, intervened, leading to a ceasefire agreement on May 10.

Chauhan emphasized that despite the current ceasefire, India will closely monitor Pakistan's subsequent actions, and if there are further terrorist attacks, India will respond decisively.