ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has categorically rejected claims that Afghan forces shot down a Pakistani fighter jet in Nangarhar province and captured its pilot alive, labelling the reports as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
The ministry issued a detailed fact-check on Saturday, stating that no such incident occurred and that Pakistan’s armed forces reported no aircraft loss. Officials emphasised that the claim originated from the Afghan Ministry of Defence and was amplified by certain Afghan media outlets and Indian channels.
No independent verification supports the allegation. International defence monitoring agencies, satellite imagery sources and credible global media have not confirmed any Pakistani jet crash or pilot capture in recent operations along the border.
The ministry highlighted the use of misleading visuals in the narrative. An image shared by TOLO News, purporting to show the downed aircraft, actually dates back to a Russian aircraft incident in Turkey in 2021. This recycled photo has no connection to Pakistan or the current border tensions.
Multiple videos circulating on social media platforms were identified as old clips repurposed to fit the false story. Such tactics form a recurring pattern in disinformation efforts during periods of heightened Pak-Afghan friction.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi described the Afghan assertions as “totally untrue” and baseless. He noted that the claims lacked any evidentiary foundation and appeared designed to mislead public opinion.
Defence analysts point out that modern aerial incidents are quickly documented through geolocated imagery, eyewitness accounts and open-source intelligence. In this case, no such material has emerged despite widespread online circulation of the rumour.
The ministry stressed that no pilot from the Pakistan Air Force is in custody. Pakistan’s military maintains full operational integrity, with all assets accounted for following recent cross-border activities.
This incident fits into a broader cycle of misinformation observed in regional conflicts. Similar false claims have surfaced in the past, often involving recycled images from unrelated crashes in other countries to inflame tensions.
The government urged citizens and media to verify information from official sources before sharing. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has also warned against spreading unconfirmed reports amid sensitive national security matters, with legal consequences for disseminating fake news.
Observers note that disinformation campaigns aim to undermine military morale and create public confusion. By debunking such claims swiftly, authorities seek to maintain transparency and counter propaganda effectively.
Pakistan-Afghanistan relations remain strained due to ongoing border security issues, including strikes against militant hideouts. However, fabricated stories of aerial losses serve no constructive purpose and only escalate mistrust.
Official channels continue to monitor the situation closely. The armed forces remain vigilant, ready to respond to any genuine threats while dismissing baseless propaganda.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to factual reporting and called on regional actors to refrain from unverified assertions that could destabilise the fragile peace along the Durand Line.
In conclusion, the claim of a Pakistani jet being downed and its pilot captured stands thoroughly debunked, resting on outdated and unrelated imagery rather than verifiable facts.