Amid rising tensions along the Line of Control and Pakistan continuing unprovoked firing for the fifth consecutive day, a video showing flames and thick smoke has gone viral on social media. The video is being shared with the claim that the Pakistan Army has shot down an Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector (J&K). However, the viral footage is actually from a year-old incident involving the accidental crash of a Sukhoi Su-30MKI.
GHQ 111 Brigade wrote, ‘Pakistan Army has shot down Indian Rafale jets in the Poonch sector of the LOC, Alhamdulillah. Modi should save the two or three ships that are left, why should they be destroyed? Hafiz Sahib, don’t give up. keep it up, well done.’
Khizar Hayat Abbasi claimed, ‘Reports suggest that Pakistan has shot down an Indian Rafale fighter jet along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector of Azad Kashmir.’
Shahzaib Khan Tanoli wrote, ‘Breaking News. Pakistan shoots down Indian Rafale fighter jet in Poonch sector near LoC. Big success for Pakistan Air Force. Thank God.’
Anum Fatima, Zulfiqar Ali, Meenu Chaudhary and Watanzamung shared a similar claim.
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We began our fact-checking process by conducting a reverse image search of the viral video. The search led us to an article published by Top War on June 2, 2024, which reported that the Indian Air Force had lost another Su-30MKI fighter jet. The aircraft crashed near Nashik in Maharashtra during a test flight following a major overhaul by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nashik facility.
According to the report, the pilots ejected from the aircraft, with one sustaining injuries upon landing. The injured pilot was likely taken to a nearby medical facility. The aircraft crashed in an open field and was completely destroyed in the resulting fire. No casualties or damage were reported on the ground. Emergency services, local authorities, police, and military personnel responded to the crash site.
Additionally, we found a post by India TV defence and national security journalist Manish Prasad, shared on June 4, 2024. He wrote, “Bad news coming in from Nashik. Air Force fighter aircraft Su-30MKI crashed at Shirasgaon in Niphad taluka. Pilot & Co-pilot ejected safely. Right now, it was with HAL for overhauling. It was on a training sortie. Enquiry ordered.”
| Claim | Pakistan shot down an IAF Rafale jet along the LoC. |
| Claimed by | GHQ 111 Brigade, Khizar Hayat Abbasi, Anum Fatima, and other Pakistan-based X handles. |
| Fact Check | The claim is false. The video in question is from a Su-30MKI crash in Nashik, Maharashtra, in June 2024. |
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