Amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India, false claims spread across social media platforms like Facebook and X, alleging that India’s S-400 air defense system shot down three Pakistani fighter jets—two JF-17s and a J-10C—near Amritsar.
However, no official confirmation has been made by either government, and defense sources have rejected the reports as untrue. The rumors, largely promoted by Hindutva-aligned accounts and amplified by parts of India’s right-wing media, falsely claimed the aircraft were downed due to an alleged airspace violation. These claims have not been independently verified, and both the Indian and Pakistani defense ministries have remained silent.
The misinformation emerged amid escalating tensions following India’s missile strikes on Pakistan, allegedly in retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, which Pakistan denies. Pakistan condemned the strikes, warning that they could lead to further escalation. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif criticized the Indian government’s actions as a provocation but reiterated that Pakistan aims to avoid full-scale war, focusing military retaliation only on military targets.
The Indian airstrikes have resulted in 31 deaths and 57 injuries in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, according to Pakistani officials. In response, Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling killed 12 Indian civilians and injured 57, according to Indian defense sources.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier praised Pakistan’s Air Force for downing five Indian jets, including a French-made Rafale. While a French intelligence source confirmed the downing of one Rafale, there has been no official acknowledgment or imagery to verify the claim.
As the conflict continues, the spread of fake news has inflamed public sentiment on both sides. Experts caution that misinformation could worsen the already fragile situation, underscoring the importance of restraint, fact-checking, and responsible reporting.
