Pakistan Minister’s ‘Social Media’ Claim on Downing IAF Jets Draws Global Ridicule

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that his country’s assertion of downing Indian jets during Operation Sindoor was based on social media. India's fact-checkers debunked these claims, revealing recycled images. While Pakistan threatens retaliation, it has also signaled willingness to de-escalate if India pulls back, amid growing international scrutiny.

In a baffling statement that has triggered widespread criticism and disbelief, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that his country's assertion of having downed five Indian Air Force jets, including Rafales, during Operation Sindoor is based solely on social media posts — many of which were later proven to be fake.

Asif made the comments during an interview with CNN, when pressed to provide evidence backing Pakistan’s bold claims. “It is all on social media, and Indian social media, not our social media. The debris of the jets fell on their side. It is all over the Indian media,” he responded, failing to provide any official confirmation or imagery.

India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terrorist installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes came in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The Indian Ministry of Defence described the operation as a precise and non-escalatory action against terror infrastructure.

Following Pakistan’s claims, India’s Press Information Bureau fact-checking unit exposed one of the photos circulated as a downed Rafale as a misrepresentation — the image was from a 2021 crash involving a MiG-21 in Punjab.

While Asif insisted Pakistan wishes to avoid full-scale conflict, he also warned that the conflict could escalate into a full-fledged war. He added that Pakistan is prepared to retaliate but also open to de-escalation if India steps back.

India, meanwhile, has maintained that its actions were defensive and limited to anti-terror targets. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the operation for being executed with “precision, precaution, and compassion.”

Also Read: “His Sacrifice Wasn’t in Vain”: Pahalgam Victims’ Families Hail Operation Sindoor

The conflicting narratives and Pakistan’s reliance on unverifiable sources have drawn ridicule from international observers and added further tension to the already volatile Indo-Pakistan relations.