Following the recent escalation of tensions in Kashmir, misleading videos have surged across social media platforms such as X, Facebook and YouTube. A systematic verification of several viral clips reveals a pattern of misrepresented or recycled footage falsely linked to the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. The following fact checks provide evidence-based clarification on three prominent cases.
Game Footage Misrepresented as Indian Air Force Shooting Down Pakistani Jet
Claim:
A video circulating online claims to show the Indian Air Force shooting down a Pakistani JF-17 “Thunder” fighter jet.
Fact Check:
- A reverse image search traces the video back to a YouTube upload by the channel “Saionji Rei” on August 22, 2020.
- The video is labeled as a simulation from ARMA 3, a military tactical shooter game developed by Bohemia Interactive.
- Multiple YouTube channels have shared similar ARMA 3 simulations (here and here), including those depicting air defense systems.
- ARMA 3 content has previously been misused to depict fake real-world military scenarios, including claims involving Israel and Palestine.
Verdict: ❌ False.
Gaza Hospital Air Strike Footage Falsely Attributed to India Bombing Pakistan
Claim:
A viral video claims to show an Indian air strike on Sialkot, Pakistan.
Fact Check:
- The video contains an Arabic-language chyron reading “Indonesian Hospital,” referring to a medical facility in northern Gaza.
- A reverse image search and news verification confirm the footage is from an Israeli air strike near that hospital on November 9, 2023.
- Multiple news agencies, including Al Jazeera (here, here and here), documented the incident with videos from different angles; a frame identical to the viral clip appears at 5:07 in one Al Jazeera English video.
- There is no credible evidence linking this footage to recent events between India and Pakistan.
Verdict: ❌ False.
2019 Pakistan Train Fire Misrepresented as Arson by Jammu Residents
Claim:
A social media post claims a train in Pakistan was set on fire by residents of Jammu.
Fact Check:
- The video depicts the Tezgam Express train fire that occurred in Punjab, Pakistan on October 31, 2019. The fire was caused by a gas stove explosion, resulted in at least 70 deaths, and was extensively reported by Pakistani and international media.
- Since 2019, all cross-border trains between India and Pakistan – such as the Samjhauta Express and Thar Express – have been suspended.
- No credible media or official sources report a recent train arson incident involving Jammu residents.
Verdict: ❌ False.
Reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97NVvWgRNCA&t=101s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbYbC2EnQf8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tndw6239_68
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3201592160148667&t=4
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1065276011291319
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkUJkAq_m6k&t=286s
https://www.dawnnews.tv/news/1113573
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/31/dead-punjab-fire-pakistan-passenger-train
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/now-india-cancels-samjhauta-express/article28983516.ece
