Islamabad, whose air force primarily operates Chinese-made jets and U.S. F-16s, has previously denied that India downed any Pakistani aircraft during the fighting.

Indian Air Force chief Amar Preet Singh claimed on Saturday that six Pakistani aircraft - five fighter jets and another large aircraft - were downed during the clash in May. Just hours later, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif rejected the claim,

Says the statement comes three months after air combat in contrast to Pakistan's quick intelligence response and briefings.