An Indian Air Force aircraft has crashed in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday morning. As per reports, The aircraft crashed in an open field near Garend Kalaan village in Budgam around 10 am. It reportedly caught fire immediately after breaking into two. Soon after, Pakistan began to spread fake news.
The cause of the crash is believed to be a technical slag, as per reports. The Pakistani media, however, is claiming that the aircraft was brought down by Pakistani jets. In reality, the Pakistani aircraft did attempt to violate India airspace but were rebuffed by Indian jets and forced to go back. Reports have also emerged of one PAF F16 being shot down in the process.
https://twitter.com/TimesNow/status/1100635469006553088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Pakistan has been spreading numerous fake images claiming that they have indeed brought down some Indian aircraft. Images from a crash in 2016 are being peddled as PoK crash today.
https://twitter.com/gauravcsawant/status/1100651658051239937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Another image of a crash from 2018 is also being shared for the same purpose.
https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/1100650254335123456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Moreover, as pointed out by others, the distance between Rajouri, the place where PAF violated Indian Airspace, and Budgam is about 200 km. Therefore, it’s nearly impossible for the Pakistani jets to have brought down the Indian aircraft.
https://twitter.com/RizviUzair/status/1100637318535360512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The propaganda being peddled is likely intended to give the Pakistani Army a face-saver in front of their own citizens after they were left embarrassed as Indian aircraft managed to hit terrorist camps within Pakistani territory without incurring any damage.
The pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft are believed to have unfortunately died in the incident. Reportedly, in total, 4 people have lost their lives.
https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/1100649490267045888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Helicopter that crashed was in Mi-17 V5 Helicopter.