World
Senior French Intelligence Source Confirms Indian Rafale Fighter Jet Shot Down by Pakistan
A senior French intelligence official has informed CNN that one Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan, marking what could be the first-ever combat loss of the highly advanced French-made aircraft.
The incident reportedly occurred amid heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan.
Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan claimed it had shot down a total of five Indian Air Force jets in retaliation for Indian airstrikes—alleging that three of those were Rafales.
As of now, Indian authorities have not issued an official response to Pakistan’s assertions.
The Rafale, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, is a 10-ton twin-engine multirole fighter jet capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
It is equipped with a 30mm cannon, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, precision-guided munitions, and cruise missiles.
The Indian Air Force had procured 36 Rafales under a high-profile defense agreement with France, aimed at enhancing its combat capabilities.
French authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine whether more than one Rafale may have been downed during the overnight hostilities.
While the French military has not officially commented, the intelligence community in Paris is closely monitoring developments.
Pakistan’s military leadership stated that its forces intercepted and engaged Indian aircraft in what was described as a “dogfight,” resulting in the downing of multiple jets.
The country’s defense chief said the military’s actions were a “befitting lesson” in response to Indian aggression.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing regional and international monitoring as further details emerge.
Crime
Video Shows Gunman Nael Jalani Shooting Inside Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two students were reportedly injured in an alleged shooting at a private university high school campus in Zamboanga City on Tuesday morning, prompting a major police response and an investigation into how a firearm entered the school premises.
According to initial reports, a student allegedly opened fire inside the university’s high school campus. The incident caused panic among students and staff as authorities responded to the scene.
Local reports also indicated that the suspect livestreamed the shooting on social media, including through Facebook. Some local media outlets have identified the alleged gunman as Nael Jalani, although police have not yet independently confirmed the suspect’s identity.
Police officials said two students were victims of the shooting, but their current medical conditions were still being determined as authorities continued their investigation.
Police Regional Office 9 spokesperson Police Major Shellamie Chang said investigators were working to establish the identity of the suspect and determine how the firearm was brought onto the university campus.
Authorities have not yet released comprehensive details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting, including the suspect’s motive or whether the victims were specifically targeted.
Reports indicate that the alleged shooter broadcast portions of the incident through a social media livestream.
The livestream reportedly showed the shooting unfolding inside the university high school campus. Authorities are expected to examine the social media material as part of the investigation and to establish a detailed timeline of the incident.
Some reports have also circulated claims that multiple people may have been killed, but those reports had not been fully confirmed by authorities at the time of the initial information.
The Police Regional Office 9 is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how the firearm was brought into the private university.
Investigators are expected to interview witnesses and examine available surveillance footage and social media evidence as they work to determine what happened.
Authorities have not yet released a confirmed motive for the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to provide additional information regarding the victims’ conditions, the suspect’s identity and any potential charges as more facts become available.