Importance Score: 70 / 100 🔴
False Claims Surround India-Pakistan Conflict: Video Misrepresents Crash Aftermath
Amid escalating tensions between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, marked by exchanges involving missiles, drones, and fighter jets across their shared border, a video has surfaced online. This video is being falsely presented as showing an injured Pakistani pilot receiving aid from Indian civilians. However, the footage actually depicts the aftermath of a training flight accident, circulating well before the recent increase in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed nations. This incident highlights the spread of misinformation during times of conflict.
The Misleading Post
The Sinhala-language caption accompanying the disseminated video compilation on Facebook on May 8, 2025, stated: “Indian civilians helping a Pakistani pilot.”
The compilation includes scenes of an aircraft ablaze and individuals seemingly assisting injured pilots.
The post appeared shortly after India conducted missile strikes on Pakistan, leading to four days of intense clashes that resulted in at least 70 fatalities.
The escalation was preceded by accusations from New Delhi that Islamabad supported an attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in 26 deaths. Pakistan has refuted any involvement in the assault.
A ceasefire agreement on May 10 brought an end to the confrontations, which were considered the most severe between the neighboring countries in recent decades.
Origins of the Footage
A combination of reverse image searches and keyword investigations on Google revealed that the footage had previously been featured in news reports concerning a plane crash occurring weeks before the latest conflict.
Investigating the Clips:
- Plane on Fire: The clip showing the burning aircraft mirrors footage published by eTimes Pakistan on Instagram on April 16, with the caption: “A Pakistan Air Force Jet has crashed near Vehari City.”
- Pilot Assistance: The segment showcasing a man in military attire receiving care from civilians originates from a longer video shared by Pakistan’s Daily Ausaf Gilgit Baltistan on Facebook on April 16.
Confirmation from News Outlets
Dawn, a Pakistani newspaper, featured a similar image on April 16, reporting on a Pakistan Air Force training aircraft crash near Ratta Tibba in Vehari district the day before.
The report stated: “Both the pilots had a miraculous escape as they ejected themselves and remained unhurt,” noting their subsequent transfer to an army hospital.
CTN News Pakistan previously published the clip featuring the other pilot on April 15, accompanied by Urdu commentary describing a fighter jet crash near Ratta Tibba and pilots descending via parachutes.
The deceptive posts utilized a mirrored rendition of the CTN News clip.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the importance of verifying information during periods of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, especially concerning the use of videos and images that may be taken out of context.