Images confirm that at least one Indian Rafale fighter jet was destroyed after after clash over Kashmir.
Pakistan says it shot down five Indian Air Force jets and one drone in “self-defense,” claiming Rafale jets – sophisticated multi-role fighters made in France – were among those downed as well as a MiG-29 and an SU-30 fighter.
Images emerged captured near the village of Aklian Kalan, Punjab, about 20 km from Bathinda air base, notably home of the Indian Rafales showing the wreck of a Snecma M88 engine, used by the Rafale.
Another image showed the vertical tail of a Rafale. The markings and the Indian flag identify this part as belonging to the single-seat Rafale EH with serial BS 001 of the Indian Air Force.
An unnamed high-ranking French intelligence official confirmed to CNN that a Rafale of the Indian Air Force was downed by Pakistan. French authorities are looking into whether more than one Rafale jets were shot down by Pakistan