MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): American security and defence analyst Dr C. Christine Fair has rejected India’s claims of shooting down Pakistani aircraft as “nonsense.”
Dr C. Christine Fair is a US analyst and political scientist specialising in South Asian security and counterterrorism. Fair has been openly critical of Pakistan in the past, a fact that some social media users say lends extra weight to her dismissal of India’s assertions.
She made these comments during an appearance on Indian journalist Karan Thapar’s show The Interview with Karan Thapar on The Wire. Thapar asked Fair about Indian Air Force Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal Bharti’s claim that India had shot down an unspecified number of Pakistani jets.
He also cited “satellite images suggesting extensive damage” to Pakistani airbases in Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad, and Bholari.”
In response, Fair stated there was “no evidence” of large-scale destruction and outright dismissed claims that 20 per cent of Pakistan’s air force had been neutralised by India, saying: “There is certainly no evidence… I am astonished by the claim that 20 per cent 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 pressed her directly, “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 replied bluntly: “Bakwas, there’s no evidence for it.”
Today, Pakistan and Azad Kashmir observed Youm-e-Tashakur to honour the success of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, the military response to Indian aggression. Flag-hoisting ceremonies, patriotic rallies, and tributes to the armed forces were held nationwide.
Schools held special prayers for martyrs, while ministers highlighted the armed forces’ professionalism and national unity. In Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber, government officials, students, and citizens gathered to chant “Pakistan Zindabad” and praise the military’s bravery.
