U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by claiming that "five jets were shot down" during the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. These remarks, made at a dinner with Republican lawmakers, have reignited discussions surrounding Operation Sindoor and the events that followed the Pahalgam terror attack.

Trump's statement lacks specific details, including which side suffered the losses. He has also repeatedly claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim that India has contested. India insists that any resolution was achieved through direct dialogue, without external intervention. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has firmly refuted Trump's assertions, stating that there was no connection between trade negotiations and ceasefire talks.

The conflict between India and Pakistan escalated after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories. This led to a series of aerial engagements and cross-border strikes. Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian planes, while India stated it shot down "a few planes" of Pakistan. However, there has been no independent confirmation of the exact number of aircraft lost by either side.

The mention of "five jets" by Trump has drawn attention to the conflicting claims made by both India and Pakistan during the period of conflict. While Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian planes in air-to-air combat, India's highest-ranking general said in late May that India switched tactics after suffering losses in the air on the first day of hostilities and established an advantage before a ceasefire was announced three days later. India also claimed it downed "a few planes" of Pakistan. Islamabad denied suffering any losses of planes but acknowledged its air bases suffered hits.

Adding to the complexity, remarks made by the Indian defense attaché in Indonesia regarding Operation Sindoor have also sparked controversy. The attaché suggested that the Indian Air Force experienced losses in the initial phase of the operation due to constraints imposed by the political leadership, which limited their ability to strike Pakistani military installations. The Indian Embassy in Jakarta has since clarified that the remarks were taken out of context.

The announcement of a film based on Operation Sindoor also faced backlash, with many social media users criticizing its timing. Some felt that it was inappropriate to commercialize a sensitive military operation, especially during a time of crisis.

Trump's latest claim regarding the downing of five jets has further fueled the ongoing debate about the events surrounding Operation Sindoor and the subsequent ceasefire. While Trump has portrayed himself as a key mediator, India maintains that the resolution was a result of bilateral discussions. The conflicting narratives and lack of concrete evidence continue to make it difficult to ascertain the true extent of the losses suffered by both sides during the conflict.