Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday asserted that US President Donald Trump “mentions in every speech” the downing of seven newly inducted Indian fighter jets by Pakistan, calling it a testament to Pakistan’s military capability and growing global recognition.
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The prime minister made these remarks while addressing the foundation-laying ceremony of a Danish School in Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
PM Shehbaz said the latest report submitted to the United States Congress had “validated” Pakistan’s account of the four-day conflict in May, noting that “India received a stinging blow from Pakistan’s armed forces.” He added that the bravery and professionalism of Pakistani soldiers had “earned honour for the nation.”
According to the report presented to the US Congress, Pakistan achieved “military success over India,” using advanced Chinese-made weaponry to shoot down multiple Indian jets, including French-built Rafales.
The prime minister further claimed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Army “forced India to its knees within four days,” adding that President Trump’s repeated praise of Pakistan reflected international acknowledgement of its battlefield performance.
Turning to educational development, PM Shehbaz highlighted the expanding network of Danish Schools, which provide free education, uniforms, accommodation and full support to students on merit. He announced that the Bagh campus would be inaugurated on March 23, 2026, and confirmed approval for another Danish School in Forward Kahuta.
Addressing the origins of the conflict, PM Shehbaz said India initiated hostilities by launching strikes inside Pakistan following an attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report underscored strengthened defence cooperation between Pakistan and China, noting that Islamabad employed modern Chinese systems—including the HQ-9 air defence system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles and J-10C fighter jets—in combat for the first time.
Pakistan maintains that it shot down seven Indian fighter aircraft, including Rafales, during the clashes—a development the report said boosted China’s global defence sales. It further noted Beijing’s June offer to supply Pakistan with 40 J-35 fifth-generation jets, KJ-500 surveillance aircraft and ballistic missile defence systems.
The report described the cross-border strikes from both sides as the deepest in five decades. India’s missile attacks on May 5–6 resulted in civilian and security personnel casualties in Pakistan, followed by further losses as Pakistan downed multiple Indian drones and aircraft.
Pakistan’s response, “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeted more than 20 Indian military installations across several regions. The PAF also deployed JF-17 Thunder jets to destroy India’s S-400 air defence system in Adampur using hypersonic missiles, according to Pakistani officials.
Hostilities ended on May 10 after the United States brokered a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
