US Expert Rejects Indian Claims of Downing Pakistani Aircraft

Dr. C Christine Fair, a US defense expert, has dismissed assertions made by India regarding the downing of Pakistani aircraft, calling them “nonsense.”

Fair, a political scientist specializing in security, counterterrorism, and South Asia, has been a vocal critic of Pakistan. Some social media users suggest this makes her rejection of India’s claims particularly noteworthy.

She voiced these opinions during an appearance on Indian journalist Karan Thapar’s program, ‘The Interview with Karan Thapar’ on The Wire.

Claims and Rebuttals

Thapar questioned Fair about Indian Air Force Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal Bharti’s declaration that the Indian Air Force had shot down an unspecified number of Pakistani jets.

He also cited “satellite imagery indicating extensive damage” to Pakistani airbases in “Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad, and Bholari.”

Fair’s Response

In response, Dr. Fair asserted that there was “no evidence” of widespread destruction. She firmly refuted the claims that 20% of Pakistan’s air force had been destroyed by India.

“There is certainly no evidence….I am astonished by the claim that 20% of Pakistan’s air force has been rendered unusable. I’ve never heard that before. It’s quite an astonishing claim and most certainly false.”

When Thapar directly inquired, “Air Marshal Bharti has claimed that India has shot down an unspecified number of Pakistani air force planes…how do you view this claim?” Fair responded: “Bakwas”, there’s no evidence for it”.