Paris: A senior French intelligence official has confirmed to CNN that a Rafale fighter jet, operated by the Indian Air Force, was downed by the Pakistan Air Force in recent hostilities. This incident marks the first time the advanced French-manufactured warplane has been lost in combat.

Kashmir Media Service reports that Pakistan has claimed to have shot down five Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafales, in response to Indian strikes. The French official noted that authorities are investigating whether multiple Rafale jets were indeed downed by Pakistan.

Images have surfaced showing parts of a crashed aircraft in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, displaying the label of a French manufacturer. This adds weight to the claims of a Rafale being involved.

Prior to this incident, India had acquired 36 Rafale jets from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. The French military has yet to issue an official statement regarding the loss of the jet.

Following the announcement from Pakistan, Dassault Aviation’s stock price experienced a significant drop, falling 6 percent. Analysts suggest that this market reaction may reflect confidence in the capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force and the performance of its JF-17 and J-10C jets, developed in collaboration with China.