Claim:
A video shared on Facebook shows fighter jets landing and taking off on a runway, with a caption suggesting that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is preparing for emergency operations amid escalating tensions with India.
Summary of the Situation:
The video, which gained significant attention on social media platforms, was shared with the claim that Pakistan Air Force fighter jets were landing on the motorway, preparing for any emergency situation following recent escalations with India. The video received over 16.7 million views on Facebook and was shared 137 times. It was also reposted by several other social media accounts, including Pashto One, where it gained an additional 65,000 views. However, the video failed to provide key context, such as the date, location, or background of the aircraft’s movements.
The video’s circulation coincided with heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after an exchange of fire along the Line of Control (LoC) on the night of April 24-25, 2025. This led many viewers to incorrectly associate the video with Pakistan’s current military preparations in response to the situation.
Fact Check Process:
A reverse image search of the video revealed a news article from The Express Tribune, dated October 7, 2020. The article, titled “Watch: PAF Fighter Jets Land on Islamabad-Lahore Motorway”, clarified that the footage was from a routine combat exercise conducted by the Pakistan Air Force. The article detailed how PAF fighter jets conducted an exercise on the Islamabad-Lahore motorway, which involved landing and taking off in a simulated combat situation. The video shown in the article matched the viral footage and was also posted on the Pakistan Air Force’s official YouTube channel.
Conclusion:
The video circulating on social media does not depict Pakistan Air Force jets preparing for conflict with India. It is from a 2020 military exercise and unrelated to the current geopolitical situation. The video’s association with the recent tensions between India and Pakistan is misleading and unfounded.
Spreading such videos without proper context can mislead the public and create unnecessary fear, particularly during sensitive times. It is essential to verify the authenticity of such content before drawing conclusions, especially in politically charged situations.
Verdict:
The viral video is misleading. It was filmed in 2020 during a scheduled PAF training exercise and is not related to the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.
