Indian Fighter Jet Shot Down By Pakistan? No, Old Video Viral With False Claim

The Pakistan army opened unprovoked firing along the Line of Control and the International Border in multiple sectors across four border districts of Jammu & Kashmir, prompting Indian forces to respond effectively, officials said on Wednesday (April 30). This marks the sixth consecutive night of ceasefire violation by the Pakistan troops. 

Amid the heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, a video allegedly showing an Indian fighter jet on fire after being attacked by the Pakistani forces has gone viral on social media platforms. 

Multiple social media users shared the video claiming that Pakistan has shot down an Indian Rafale fighter jet along the LoC. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.

Such posts can be seen here, here and here.

Also Read: Old Video Of Israeli Strike Flattening Building In Lebanon Falsely Shared As Pakistan

Fact Check/Verification

A Google Lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to an Instagram post by @sky_fighters_club, dated June 5, 2024. Carrying a slightly cropped version of the viral clip, it stated that a Sukhoi fighter plane of the Indian Air Force crashed in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.

Using this as a clue, we looked up keywords “Sukhoi,” “crash”, “Nashik” and “2024” on Google which led us to a Facebook post by Brut India, dated June 5, 2024, featuring the viral clip. “A Sukhoi fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed in Maharashtra’s Nashik due to a “technical snag” on 4 June. The pilot and co-pilot are safe,” the post stated. 

Carrying the same footage, a report by Aaj Tak from June 2024 corroborated that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet of Indian Air Force crashed in Shirasgaon of Nishad taluka of Nashik district of Maharashtra. 

A longer version of the video was also featured in the reports by Lokmat Times and HT Marathi on the IAF fighter plane crash in Nashik in June 2024. 

Also Read: Indian Army Posts Destroyed By Pakistan? Viral Visuals Are Old, Unrelated

Elaborating on the incident, a report by The Hindu, dated June 4, 2024, stated, “An SU-30MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Nashik on Tuesday. The aircraft was recently overhauled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and was on a test sortie from HAL Nashik at Sirsa gaon, a HAL official said.”

“Both the pilots of HAL have ejected to safety. A technical snag was reported by the pilots. The exact reason will only be known after detailed investigation,” the official reportedly added. The fighter jet was reportedly being flown by Wing Commander Bokil and his second in command Biswas when it crashed in a farm in Shirasgaon village in Nifad tehsil at 1.20 p.m. After the crash, the aircraft caught fire which was doused. 

Government’s PIB Fact Check also flagged the false claim, clarifying that the Pakistan Army has not shot down any Indian fighter jet.

Also Read: 2023 Video Of Protest Over Imran Khan’s Arrest Falsely Shared As Indian Military Action Against Pakistani Border Posts

Conclusion

Hence, we find that an old video is being shared to falsely claim that an Indian fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan.

Sources
Instagram Post By @sky_fighters_club, Dated June 5, 2024
Facebook Post By Brut India, Dated June 5, 2024
Report By Aaj Tak, Dated June 4, 2024
Report By The Hindu, Dated June 4, 2024
X Post By PIB Fact Check, Dated April 29, 2025