(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) New Delhi - The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reaffirmed that its forces shot down 'five Pakistani fighter aircraft' during intense clashes in May this year.

Speaking at the 93rd Air Force Day celebrations on Friday, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said the destroyed aircraft included jets of the F-16 and JF-17 class, marking one of the fiercest aerial exchanges in decades.

The IAF chief linked the statement to recent remarks by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations, where Sharif had downplayed India's actions during the conflict.“Pakistan continues to weave 'manohar kahaniyan' (fascinating tales), but facts remain unaltered,” Singh said, adding that India had inflicted heavy damage on Pakistan's air capabilities in 'Operation Sindoor'.

Earlier in August, Singh had claimed that the IAF downed a total of six Pakistani aircraft in May - including a large surveillance or early-warning plane - with much of the damage inflicted by India's S-400 missile systems. On Friday, however, he reiterated the fighter jet losses specifically.

Pakistan has strongly denied the Indian version of events. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed Singh's statement as“implausible and politically motivated,” asserting that 'not a single Pakistani aircraft was lost.' He further challenged India to open both nations' aircraft inventories for independent verification.

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