FACT CHECK: Did Pakistan shoot down Indian Rafale fighter jet during 'Operation Sindoor'

Ever since reports of the strikes carried out by India against nine militant hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, there have also been counter-claims of Pakistan shooting down one of India's Rafale fighter jets.

There were also images being circulated on pro-Pakistan social media, claiming the debris belonged to a Rafale fighter jet of India.

Now, PIB Fact Check has come out with a clarification saying that the images being circulated are from a previous accident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 fighter jet.

"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," PIB Fact Check posted.

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It further clarified, "This image is from an earlier incident involving an IAF MiG-21 fighter jet that crashed in Moga district in Punjab in 2021."

Beware of old images shared by pro-Pakistan handles in the present context, it said.

The sophisticated disinformation apparatus of Pakistan, led by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has been targetting India, claiming that Pakistan has brought down India's fighter jets and destroyed Indian army bases in the country. The propaganda has also targeted decorated Indian armed forces officers.

India has been quick to debunk these claims, including the recent ones claiming the destruction of Indian Brigade Headquarters and the attack on the Srinagar airbase.

Defence