Trump now says up to 10 jets shot down in Pakistan-India conflict

US President Donald Trump has claimed that as many as 10 fighter jets were shot down during last year’s Pakistan-India military confrontation, doubling his earlier figure, as he reiterated that his tariff threats helped prevent a potential nuclear war between the two countries.

Speaking on Fox Business while defending his tariff policy, Trump said he had “settled eight wars,” adding that “at least six were settled because of tariffs.”

“In other words, I said if you don’t settle this war, I’m going to charge you tariffs, because I don’t want to see people getting killed. And they said, ‘Well, what does this have to do…’ I said, ‘You’re going to be charged,’” Trump said.

Referring to the May 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan, he said: “Like India and Pakistan — it would have been a nuclear war in my opinion. They were really going at it. Ten planes were shot down. They were going at it.”

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Trump also recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said the US president “saved at least 10 million lives” by intervening to stop the fighting.

“Because they were going to go nuclear, in my opinion. Without tariffs, that would not have happened,” he added.

While Trump has repeatedly credited himself for brokering peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, a claim echoed by Pakistan, India has not publicly acknowledged any US role in halting the hostilities.

In contrast, the Pakistani government nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in defusing tensions.

Background of the conflict

In May last year, Pakistan and India engaged in their worst military confrontation in decades following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) Pahalgam area.

New Delhi alleged that the attack, which killed 26 men, was backed by Pakistan.

Islamabad denied involvement and offered to participate in a neutral investigation into the incident.

The crisis escalated into cross-border strikes and aerial engagements, with Pakistan claiming it had downed several Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, as well as dozens of drones.

After at least 87 hours of intense fighting, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, with Washington stating it had played a mediating role in securing the truce.

The episode marked one of the most serious flare-ups between the nuclear-armed rivals in recent history, renewing global concerns over regional stability in South Asia.