Subramanian Swamy, a senior leader of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has confirmed that Pakistan shot down five Indian warplanes, including Rafale jets, during a recent four-day military standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Swamy, known for his outspoken criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also condemned the Indian government for failing to arrest those responsible for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead.
The situation between India and Pakistan deteriorated after the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The conflict escalated on May 7 when India launched missile strikes on mosques and civilian areas in six Pakistani cities.
In response, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) quickly retaliated, shooting down six Indian aircraft. On May 10, Pakistan launched Operation Bunaynum Marsoos, striking dozens of Indian military targets and forcing India to seek a ceasefire, which Pakistan accepted.
Although international media outlets confirmed that Pakistan had downed Indian aircraft, including Rafales, the Indian government had not publicly acknowledged this until Swamy’s remarks. Speaking on a podcast, Swamy stated:
“Pakistan downed five of our jets using Chinese aircraft. They performed well, while our French Rafales were underwhelming,” he said, adding that the Rafales were “insufficient.”
Swamy also alleged corruption in the Rafale procurement deal, claiming it would never be investigated under Modi’s leadership. “This will not be probed as long as Modi is prime minister because he will never allow it,” he declared.
He criticized the government’s failure to bring the Pahalgam attackers to justice, calling it a “grave crime” and lamenting India’s inability to retaliate. Swamy, who served in the Rajya Sabha from 2016 to 2022, said, “We should have responded, but we did not.”
When asked about Modi’s relationship with former US President Donald Trump, Swamy dismissed it as a shallow facade, calling Modi “a master manipulator” with no real standing in the US. “Indians abroad know the truth,” he said. “He’s essentially a servant.”
Swamy also accused Modi of capitulating to international pressure during the recent crisis, saying that the ceasefire was a result of US pressure rather than a military decision. “Modi’s cowardice has been exposed,” he asserted.
Calling for Modi’s resignation, Swamy said, “We need a new direction in the months ahead. Modi has failed to uphold the founding principles of our republic, so he must go. I am not alone in thinking this — many agree, though they are afraid to say it out loud.”
