Pakistan Downs Indian Rafales and Kamikaze Drones Using Chinese Weaponry: U.S. Officials Confirm

Reading Time: 2 minutes Tensions along the Line of Control have intensified after senior U.S. officials confirmed that Pakistan used Chinese-manufactured J-10C fighter jets and HQ-9 long-range air defence systems to down multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) assets, including at least one Rafale fighter jet. The incident, which occurred amid heightened hostilities, has sent shockwaves through South Asian strategic circles and global defence markets. Confirmed Kills: Chinese Airpower in Action According to Reuters and The Daily Star, U.S. intelligence officials believe that Pakistani J-10C jets were responsible for downing at least two Indian fighter jets—one Rafale and one Su-30MKI—during a high-stakes dogfight. Additional Indian aircraft were reportedly destroyed by HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missiles, a Chinese counterpart to the U.S.-made Patriot system (Reuters, The Daily Star). Dozens of Indian kamikaze drones—believed to be loitering munitions aimed at Pakistani radar and forward bases—were also intercepted by Pakistani air defences. These were neutralised