- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 07 May 2025 05:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In the wake of India’s precision military operations under ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistani media outlets have circulated unverified claims about Indian fighter jets being shot down. One of the most sensational reports came from Samaa TV, which claimed that Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighter jets were downed near Ahmedpur East in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
According to Samaa TV, citing unnamed “security sources,” Pakistan’s military shot down an Indian Rafale jet and another fighter aircraft. The report suggested rising hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and attempted to frame the alleged downing of the jets as a significant victory for Pakistan.
“The Pakistan Army has reportedly downed a Rafale jet and another Indian fighter aircraft near Ahmedpur East, as hostilities between the two nuclear-armed countries intensify,” the report stated.
The Dassault Rafale, a highly advanced twin-engine multirole fighter developed by France, is known for its strategic versatility, capable of deep-strike, air superiority, and nuclear deterrence missions. The IAF inducted Rafale jets to enhance its operational readiness, and any claim of one being shot down is bound to attract scrutiny and alarm.
ALSO READ:India's Strike On Pakistan: Why Operation Sindoor Stands Out Among Other Military Operations?
No Evidence, Just Propaganda: India Responds
India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB), through its official fact-checking handle, addressed the disinformation campaign. Dismissing the Pakistani media's assertions, the PIB pointed out that viral videos being used as “proof” were not only unrelated but also from an entirely different country and context.
⚠️Propaganda Alert!
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 7, 2025
Beware of old images shared by pro-Pakistan handles in the present context!
An #old image showing a crashed aircraft is being circulated with the claim that Pakistan recently shot down an Indian Rafale jet near Bahawalpur during the ongoing #OperationSindoor… pic.twitter.com/LdkJ1JYuH0
“In a video shared by several pro-Pakistan handles, it is being falsely claimed that the Pakistan Air Force has targeted Srinagar airbase. The video shared is old and NOT from India. The video is from sectarian clashes that took place in the year 2024, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan,” PIB Fact Check stated.
Other Social media posts falsely claim that Pakistan destroyed an Indian Brigade Headquarters. The PIB Fact Check team has also debunked these claims, confirming they are baseless and misleading.
Social media posts falsely claims that Pakistan destroyed Indian Brigade Headquarters.#PIBFactCheck
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 7, 2025
❌ This claim is #FAKE
✅ Please avoid sharing unverified information and rely only on official sources from the Government of India for accurate information. pic.twitter.com/9W5YLjBubp
The Indian government has also reiterated that its operations under Operation Sindoor were strictly targeted against terrorist infrastructure and not aimed at the Pakistani military.
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor, named after the vermilion worn by married Hindu women, is seen as a symbolic tribute to the women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam terror attack. The choice of name reflects both the personal and national pain of the tragedy, and the resolve to deliver justice through decisive action.