Reverse image and video searches have revealed that several videos and images circulating on social media, purportedly showing the aftermath of recent military operations in Bajaur, are in fact old and unrelated. The visuals originate from Iraq, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and past protest events, and have no connection to the 2025 Bajaur incident.
In late July, following the launch of Operation Sarbakaf a fresh military campaign against militants in Bajaur various videos and images began circulating on social media claiming to depict scenes from the district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, these claims are false. The footage is from previous years and does not relate to Bajaur.
Claim 1:
A user on X (formerly Twitter) posted an image showing multiple explosions, using the hashtag #BajaurUnderStateAttack, claiming it was taken after the recent military operation in the northern district.
Fact:
A reverse image search shows the image was first uploaded in 2019. It depicts U.S. warplanes dropping 40 tons of bombs on an island in northern Iraq to destroy ISIS hideouts — a strike reported by Sky News at the time.
Claim 2:
A 25-second video circulated on social media allegedly showed women in Bajaur protesting against the ongoing military operation.
Fact:
This video dates back to August 2022 and was filmed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It has no link to Bajaur or recent events. At the time, The News had reported that nine army soldiers were martyred in a military vehicle accident.
Conclusion:
Multiple videos and images shared on social media claiming to show scenes from Bajaur after the launch of Operation Sarbakaf are misrepresented. Reverse searches confirm they are old visuals from Iraq, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and past protest incidents — not from the 2025 Bajaur military campaign.
