ISLAMABAD, Saturday, July 19, 2025 : U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down five Indian fighter jets during a recent military escalation between Pakistan and India, revealing the conflict had pushed the two nuclear-armed neighbours dangerously close to war.
Speaking at a ceremony at the White House, President Trump disclosed that the situation had become “rapidly deteriorating” and had reached the brink of a nuclear confrontation. “In fact, five fighter jets were shot down by the PAF,” Trump stated, referring to the sharp aerial engagement that heightened global concern over regional stability.
The U.S. president said he personally intervened to de-escalate the crisis. “We resolved the Pakistan-India conflict through trade,” he added, crediting diplomatic and economic channels for pulling both countries back from the edge of war.
While official details of the incident remain limited, Trump’s remarks are the first confirmation from a world leader regarding the intensity of the latest military exchange between South Asia’s two arch-rivals. His statement also signals a rare instance of direct U.S. mediation preventing a potential nuclear flashpoint in the region.
The comments have stirred international interest and are expected to prompt reactions from both Islamabad and New Delhi as the global community watches closely for further developments.
