[Text/Outlook Observer Network, Xiong Chaoyan] Recently, due to a "terrorist attack incident" that occurred in late April this year, the situation between India and Pakistan has suddenly become tense. The Indian Air Force launched the "Sindoor Operation" (Operation Sindoor) at midnight on May 7 local time, carrying out attacks on "terrorist facilities" within Pakistani territory. Pakistan claimed that it had shot down six Indian military aircraft (including one drone) "in self-defense".

According to video released by Pakistan Today News Television (Aaj TV) on May 7 local time, Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (Ishaq Dar) revealed during his speech in parliament that Pakistani fighters used Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets to counterattack and shoot down Indian Air Force aircraft, including three French-made "Rafale" fighters, in the "brief air combat" early that morning.

According to a report by the Hong Kong South China Morning Post on May 8, India has not yet commented on these claims, nor has it responded to reports of fighter jets being shot down. If Dar's statement is confirmed, this will be the first time that a Chinese-made fighter jet has achieved an air-to-air kill in actual combat, marking the first time that the "Rafale" fighter jet has suffered losses in actual combat.

In addition, the report cited statements from local Indian media, indicating that suspected PL-15E missile fragments were discovered in Punjab, India on the same day. This suggests that the Pakistan Air Force may have launched the missile from the J-10C or FC-1B Block 3 fighters. Currently, only these two models of aircraft are known to be compatible with this type of missile in the region. For this, the U.S. military news website "The War Zone" also published an article stating that "China's PL-15 air-to-air missiles seem to have been used in actual combat for the first time."

On March 21, ahead of the National Day parade, Pakistan Air Force J-10C fighters conducted rehearsals in Islamabad. Agence France-Presse.

It was reported that Dar said during his speech to parliament: "Our fighters shot down India's 'Rafale', three French-made 'Rafale' fighters. We deployed the J-10C, which were obtained under cooperation with China."

Dar also added that after the military conflict occurred in the early hours of the morning, the Chinese ambassador and his team arrived at his office at 4 a.m., where they communicated and exchanged views.

Screenshot of Pakistan's Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

On the evening of May 7 local time, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif delivered a national address, confirming that the Pakistani military had shot down five Indian military aircraft. He once again condemned India's "cowardly" attack, stating that the Pakistani military had inflicted a "trauma that time cannot heal" on the Indian military. Earlier that day, he praised the "bravery and fearlessness" of his country's military when speaking to parliament, emphasizing that the Pakistani military remained in a state of round-the-clock readiness, and that India would bear the consequences of its attack.

According to reports by CNN, the news that a "Rafale" fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan has been confirmed by French officials. A senior French intelligence official revealed that an Indian Air Force-operated "Rafale" fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan, marking the first combat loss for the "Rafale" fighter jet. The official also said that France is investigating whether more than one "Rafale" fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan overnight.

In addition, a senior Pakistani security source told CNN that a total of 125 aircraft from both sides were involved, with the battle lasting over an hour. Neither side left their own airspace, and the distance of missile exchanges sometimes exceeded 160 kilometers.

According to previous reports by India's NDTV, Indian military sources claimed that Indian forces indeed launched "Rafale" fighters during the air strike early on May 7, using Scalp cruise missiles to attack targets in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, photos of aircraft debris are circulating on social media, with one image showing fragments of an aircraft tail marked with "Rafale" and "BS 001". The sequence number of India's first single-seat "Rafale EH" fighter jet is BS 001. Previously, the Indian Air Force had a total of 36 "Rafale" fighters. As of now, the manufacturer of the "Rafale" fighter jet, Dassault Aviation, has not responded to CNN's request for comment, and the French military has not made any official comments on this matter.

Circulating aircraft debris photos (right), as well as a previous photo of India's Air Force "Rafale" fighter jet with the sequence number "BS 001". Social Media

An analysis by an observer of the Observer Network stated that based on the currently circulating footage of crash debris filmed in Kalan Village, Punjab, India, it can be confirmed that there are French-made "Mica" air-to-air missiles and their launchers in the wreckage, which are weapons used for "Rafale" and Mirage 2000 fighters.

Comparison diagram of missiles and launchers

Meanwhile, a missile debris found in Hosiyarpur Village, Punjab, India, also drew much attention on the same day. On that day, images of suspected PL-15 missile debris began to circulate on social media.

The "War Zone" website, citing these images, reported that components of the missile body radar cover and rear segment could be clearly identified in the image, along with a serial number and a small compartment marked "guidance head detection port". Another circulating image shows the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar guidance head of the missile, which reportedly has active and passive dual guidance modes and is said to have stronger anti-interference capabilities than previous Chinese air-to-air missiles.

The report noted that while it is currently impossible to confirm the weapon model with absolute certainty, the PL-15 missile seems most likely, and whether it successfully hit the target remains to be verified. "Regardless, the use of this type of missile by the Pakistani side is highly significant—it appears to be the first confirmed use of the PL-15 missile in actual combat," the report wrote.

Circulating images of PL-15E missile debris reportedly found in India "War Zone" website citing social media

The South China Morning Post introduced that the J-10 fighter jet is a single-engine multi-purpose fighter designed and manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, which entered service in the Chinese Air Force in 2003. The J-10C is an upgraded version of the series, equipped with better engines and more advanced AESA radars, capable of firing PL-15 missiles, also known as the "4.5th generation fighter jet".

Pakistan is the only country other than China to equip the J-10C fighter jet, having ordered 36 export-type J-10CE fighters and 250 PL-15E missiles in 2020. The first batch of six aircraft were delivered in 2022, with a current total of 20 aircraft in service.

In January 2024, the J-10C fighter jet executed its first cross-border operational mission, providing escort for the Pakistan Air Force's operation against Baloch separatist organizations in Iran, but did not engage in air combat.

Currently, Egypt has expressed interest in this aircraft. CCTV Military reported that on the morning of May 4 local time, the 18-day joint military training between China and Egypt, named "Civilization Eagle-2025", concluded successfully at an Egyptian airbase. On the same day, photos were taken of Egyptian officers experiencing the cockpit of the J-10C fighter jet.

This article is an exclusive article by the Observer Network and is unauthorized for reprinting.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501905191391560218/

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