The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit has officially dismissed claims suggesting that a Pakistani military operation resulted in the downing of an Indian Rafale fighter jet near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Investigations revealed that the video sparking these allegations was actually from an unrelated incident: a Sukhoi-30MKI crash that occurred in Maharashtra in June 2024.
Misinformation spread by various pro-Pakistan platforms alleged a successful strike by the Pakistan Army on an Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale jet. However, the PIB confirmed that there have been no reports of a Rafale or any other aircraft being lost by the IAF in that region. The video in question was traced back to a crash on June 4, 2024, involving a Sukhoi-30MKI (tail number SB-182) in Shirasgaon village, Nashik district. Both pilots aboard that aircraft, Wing Commander Bokil and Second-in-Command Biswas, safely ejected during the incident.
This is not the first instance of disinformation targeting India’s military assets. In 2020, false claims emerged from a Chinese source alleging that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) had shot down an Indian Sukhoi Su-30 in Tibet—a narrative that was later debunked. Similarly, during the fallout from the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, Pakistan claimed to have shot down a Sukhoi-30MKI. India, however, confirmed the loss of only a MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured and later returned.
The Sukhoi-30MKI is a key component of India’s air defense strategy, with 272 units delivered by 2024. The aircraft has played pivotal roles in various operations, including airspace interceptions and post-strike defense. During the 2019 skirmish, Sukhoi-30MKIs, in coordination with Mirage 2000s and MiG-21s, were instrumental in repelling incoming Pakistani jets over the Poonch and Krishna Gati sectors.
In light of these developments, India continues to enhance its Sukhoi fleet under the “Super Sukhoi” initiative. In 2023, the government approved a deal worth ₹11,500 crores for the procurement of 12 new Su-30MKIs, with over 60% of components to be sourced from domestic manufacturers. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has made significant strides in localization, achieving over 80% indigenization by 2017. Recent upgrades include state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems such as the DARE High Band Jammer Pod and Dhruti Radar Warning System.
The PIB has encouraged citizens to verify information through credible sources and warned against falling prey to viral but misleading narratives, particularly those with geopolitical ramifications. It highlighted that disinformation campaigns, especially amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions, could escalate public sentiment and strain diplomatic relations.
In response to the increasing prevalence of misinformation, there are renewed calls for stricter measures, including potential bans on accounts disseminating fake news and diplomatic actions, such as limiting Pakistani overflights. The PIB underscored the critical need for timely and transparent fact-checking to foster peace and prevent escalation in regional tensions.
