According to a report by CNN on May 7 local time, a French senior intelligence official told CNN that France confirmed that an Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan. This is the first time a Rafale fighter has been lost in combat.
Pakistan previously stated that it had shot down five Indian Air Force fighters in retaliation for India's attack, including three Rafale fighters. The Indian government has not responded to this claim. The French official said that the French side is still verifying whether other Rafale fighters were also shot down by Pakistan.
Meanwhile, photos of aircraft debris are circulating on social media. One image shows fragments of an aircraft tail marked with "Rafale" and "BS 001". The serial number of India's first single-seat "Rafale EH" fighter is BS 001. Previously, the Indian Air Force had a total of 36 Rafale fighters.
Social media is circulating photos of aircraft debris (right), as well as a previous photo of India's Air Force Rafale fighter with the serial number "BS 001".
Currently, the manufacturer of the Rafale fighter, Dassault Aviation, has not responded to CNN's request for comment. The French military has also not made any official comments on this matter.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501889444304257555/
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