An Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet crashed approximately 20 kilometers from Bhisiana Airbase in Punjab during the early hours of May 7.
Several images have now emerged online showing the vertical tail of an Indian Rafale allegedly shot down by the Pakistani AMRAAM. As we mentioned in our previous report about the ongoing clashes between India and Pakistan, the latter claimed it shot down seven aircraft of the former, including three Rafales, one Su-30MKI, one Jaguar, one Mirage 2000, and a Mig-29 fighter jets.
The crash site, located in the village of Akali Kurd, was quickly cordoned off by military personnel as emergency services responded.
Eyewitnesses and photographic evidence of the wreckage, including pylon mounts, missile parts, and engine debris, confirmed the downed aircraft as a Rafale. Following the impact, the jet’s ammunition detonated in a secondary explosion, scattering debris and causing additional casualties.
Local police in Punjab were the first to report the crash, followed by the fire services. By daybreak, Indian Army and Air Force units arrived on site, established temporary shelters, and began recovering wreckage.
One civilian, identified only as a migrant worker named Govind from Haryana, died in the blast. Villagers said Govind had come to assist with wheat harvesting and was recording video near the wreck when the munitions exploded. “He came too close to the crash site with his phone. The plane ignited and then exploded. He died instantly,” a resident told reporters. Nine others sustained burn injuries.
The pilot survived the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, Indian officials said.
The incident occurred just hours after the Indian Air Force launched strikes on targets inside Pakistan, in retaliation for a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26.
While Pakistan has claimed to have shot down seven Indian aircraft and photographic evidence suggests seven aircraft losses, only one confirmed Rafale crashed after the night raid.
© 2025, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
