US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he believes up to five jets were shot down during the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan. These clashes followed an April terror attack in Kashmir, with a ceasefire reached in May.

Speaking at a dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump mentioned that "planes were being shot out of the air". He added, "Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually," without providing further details or specifying which side the jets belonged to.

Pakistan has claimed to have downed five Indian planes in air-to-air combat. Meanwhile, India's highest-ranking general stated in late May that India shifted tactics after initial losses and gained an advantage before the ceasefire. India has also claimed to have downed "a few planes" of Pakistan. Islamabad has denied suffering any plane losses but acknowledged that its air bases sustained damage.

The hostilities followed an attack in Kashmir in April that resulted in 26 fatalities. New Delhi attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militants, a charge that Islamabad denies.

Trump has repeatedly asserted that he brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, stating that Washington's discussions with both sides led to the de-escalation. However, India has publicly disagreed with Trump's claims of intervention and threats to sever trade talks. India maintains that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their issues directly, without external involvement.

Despite these differing views, India is an increasingly vital US partner in countering China's influence in Asia, while Pakistan remains a US ally.