In his first public remarks on India’s ongoing Operation Sindoor, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday expressed concern over the Indian Air Force’s precision strikes inside Pakistani territory. Addressing reporters at the Oval Office, Trump referred to the developments as “a shame,” noting that he had just received word of the incident.
“It’s a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking in the doors of the Oval. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit…” said U.S President Donald Trump.
India Launches Operation Sindoor After Pahalgam Massacre
The military operation comes in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, one of the deadliest in recent years, which left 26 people dead, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. Militants, reportedly backed by Pakistan-based terror networks, ambushed a civilian convoy in the tourist-heavy area of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The brutal nature of the attack triggered widespread outrage across India and calls for a strong retaliatory response.
In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military action aimed at neutralizing terror-linked infrastructure across the border. According to defence sources, the Indian Air Force struck nine non-military terror-related sites in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and parts of mainland Pakistan. The Ministry of Defence has emphasized that the strikes were “measured and non-escalatory”, with no civilian or Pakistani military installations targeted.
Possible F-16 Shootdown Near LoC Amidst Operation Sindoor
Adding a major twist to the rapidly evolving situation, sources have reported that an Indian air defence system may have shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet near the Line of Control (LoC). The incident allegedly occurred amid heightened aerial activity along the border following India’s strikes. While the Indian Defence Ministry has not confirmed the shootdown, forward airbases have reportedly been on high alert since early morning.
If verified, this would mark the most serious air confrontation between the two nations since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, during which a Pakistani F-16 was also reportedly brought down by an Indian MiG-21 in a high-stakes dogfight.
Brief but Notable Reaction of Donald Trump
President Trump’s comments, though restrained, reflect rising international concern over renewed hostilities between India and Pakistan two nuclear-armed neighbors with a long and volatile history. While the U.S. has not announced any mediation effort or formal diplomatic intervention yet, Trump’s acknowledgment confirms that Washington is closely monitoring the situation.
Strategic Implications and Global Watch
Defence analysts note that India’s approach combines offensive precision with defensive vigilance, as it seeks to send a message to terror sponsors without provoking outright war. With increased air patrols, enhanced troop readiness, and global attention intensifying, New Delhi appears determined to keep the situation contained unless provoked further.
As the world awaits official confirmation from the Indian side regarding the F-16 incident, the path ahead remains uncertain. For now, Operation Sindoor stands as both a tactical military response and a symbolic assertion of India’s zero-tolerance policy toward cross-border terrorism.
