Dassault Aviation Shares Drop After Pakistan Shoots Down Indian Aircraft, Including Rafale Jets
Stock Market Reacts to Air Clash
Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jet, saw its shares drop by 6% on Wednesday. The decline followed a military confrontation in which Pakistan’s air force shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, amid growing tensions along the Line of Control (LoC).
Details of the Encounter
Senior Pakistani defense officials confirmed that six Indian aircraft were destroyed during the clash. These included three Rafale jets, a MiG-29, an SU-30, and a Heron surveillance drone. The Indian aircraft were flying near their own airspace but attempting to target Pakistani positions using stand-off munitions.
A Pakistani military spokesperson stated, “None of our aircraft took damage. All units returned safely to base.” The official praised the Pakistan Air Force’s readiness to defend the nation’s airspace.
Locations and Losses
According to military reports, a Rafale and an SU-30 crashed near Ahmedpur East in Bahawalpur, on the Indian side of the border. Another Rafale went down southwest of Awantipora in Pulwama district, approximately 17 nautical miles from the LoC. Pakistani forces also intercepted and neutralized the Heron drone in a separate operation.
Conflicting Claims from Indian Media
Indian news outlets, citing unofficial sources, alleged that Indian jets shot down Pakistani aircraft in retaliation. However, Pakistani defense officials denied the claim, calling it “baseless, fabricated, and intended to mislead the public.”
“No Pakistani aircraft was hit. These are diversionary tactics,” a Pakistani spokesperson said.
Pakistan’s Official Response
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar addressed the media amid rising tensions. He stated that Pakistan had no involvement in the Pulwama attack and offered full cooperation in investigating the Pahalgam incident, which Indian officials had linked to Islamabad.
“We took down enemy aircraft in a very short time,” Tarar told reporters in Islamabad. “Our position is clear on the Pulwama matter. We are fighting terrorism actively. Despite our cooperation offer, India attacked without investigation.”
He criticized India’s internal response, noting that although an FIR was filed within 10 minutes, security forces arrived nearly an hour later.
Pakistan Air Force’s Warning
The Pakistan Air Force reaffirmed its control over national airspace. It warned that any further provocation would face a swift and appropriate reaction.
“We do not want war, but we are fully ready to defend every inch of our territory,” a PAF spokesperson stated.
