In a major military escalation, Indian forces have reportedly shot down a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The jet seems to have crashed in Raja Chak village, near Sungal, following India’s swift response during Operation Sindoor—a counter-terror mission launched after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
JF-17 Jet Shot Down?
The downing of the JF-17, a major asset in Pakistan’s air force, marks a turning point in the ongoing conflict. The shootdown has increased pressure along the border, with both nations stepping up military readiness. The situation remains highly sensitive, with global attention focused on the region as fears of further escalation grow.
We are yet to get any official confirmation from the Defence ministry on the same
JF-17 Thunder: More About It
The JF-17 Thunder is a 4th-generation, multi-role fighter jet, co-developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. It is known for its agility and speed, capable of reaching up to Mach 1.6 (about 1,960 km/h). The jet is designed for air superiority, ground strikes, and close air support. Losing such a jet in combat is seen as a significant setback for the nation, both militarily and symbolically.
What Is Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor is India’s latest military initiative aimed at dismantling terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official sources, Indian troops have carried out precision strikes on nine terror camps, intensifying tensions across the Line of Control.
The operation has received support from many political leaders, including members of the opposition, who have praised the military’s decisive and measured action.
Pak Campaigns Spreading Misinformation- Debunked!
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a wave of misinformation has been flooding Pakistani media outlets and various social media platforms. Several of these — mainly pushed by accounts aligned with Pakistan’s military media wing (as sources say)— have been debunked by independent fact-checkers and analysts.
Soon after the strike, several posts began circulating on X (formerly Twitter), falsely claiming that the Pakistan Air Force had retaliated by striking 15 locations within India. Some even alleged that Pakistan had destroyed fighter jets and a brigade headquarters at the Srinagar Airbase.
However, no credible evidence has surfaced to support these or to prove them right. Analysts monitoring open-source intelligence and satellite imagery have confirmed that no strikes occurred at the alleged locations. The viral claims were mostly spread by accounts that have in the past been linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
One particular video, circulated widely, claimed to show a Pakistani airstrike on Srinagar Airbase. This video was fact-checked by India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB), which confirmed that it was not only fake but originated from sectarian clashes in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 2024.
“The video is old and NOT from India,” the PIB said in a public clarification. “It is from sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rely only on official Government of India sources for authentic information.”
Source: The Daily Guardian, The Economic Times
