ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Saturday dismissed as “implausible” India’s claim to have shot down six Pakistani aircraft, including five fighter jets, during May’s four-day conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said no Pakistani aircraft had been hit or destroyed and described the statement by Indian Air Force chief Amar Preet Singh as “ill-timed” and a “desperate attempt” to cover what he called a “monumental failure” of India’s military strategy.

“For three months, no such claims were voiced,” Asif said in a statement, adding that Pakistan had presented detailed technical briefings to international media in the immediate aftermath of the fighting.

He said independent observers, foreign intelligence assessments, and even senior Indian politicians acknowledged the loss of multiple Indian aircraft, including Rafales.

Asif said Pakistani forces destroyed six Indian jets, S-400 air defense systems, unmanned aircraft, and disabled several airbases during the clashes.

Earlier Saturday, Singh claimed New Delhi had downed six Pakistani aircraft during the May conflict, which erupted following an April 22 attack on a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India blamed the assault on Pakistan, which denied involvement and called for an impartial investigation.

The hostilities ended on May 10 after a US-brokered truce announced by President Donald Trump. — Agencies