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Published 12:18 IST, February 28th 2019

PAK'S FAKE NEWS: Here's how the Pakistan government, army and media peddled falsities and propaganda after the IAF sent their F-16s packing

Amid tightening tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, Pakistan has been indulging in whipping up lies and fake news after violating India's airspace in Kashmir to retaliate over India's counter-terrorism operation on UN-designated Jaish-e-Mohammed terror organisation on Tuesday.  

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
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Amid heightening tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, Pakistan has been indulging in whipping up lies and fake news after violating India's airspace in Kashmir to retaliate over India's counter-terrorism operation on UN-designated Jaish-e-Mohammed terror organisation on Tuesday.  

The deception comes when the country is confronted about harboring terrorist outfits within their borders. Here are the goof ups and lies that Pakistan has been peddling: 

'Two' IAF pilots in Pakistan custody

A while after an air-battle between PAF's F-16 and MiG-21 Bison, Pakistan claimed to have two IAF pilots in their custody. This was partially confirmed by the Indian government, which in its joint briefing with the IAF stated that during the operation one Indian MIG 21 had been lost and its pilot was indeed in Pakistan's custody. No mention was made of a second pilot despite Pakistan's insistence and Imran Khan's claim through his address. 

The reason was revealed hours later after Pakistan amended its claim to have taken only one Indian Wing Commander into custody. Republic TV has learned that the second pilot that the country had claimed to belong to IAF was in fact, one of their own. Pakistan's so-called 'second IAF pilot' was actually the one who had ejected from the Pakistan Air Force's F-16 aircraft which was shot down by Indian Air Force.

READ| Indian Forces Given A Free Hand To Retaliate Following Pakistan's Act Of War In Indian Airspace, Says Sources

Indian Aircraft shot in Budgam

Pakistan media had attempted to build a narrative of a crash in Budgam, Kashmir being a target of Pakistani strikes and went ahead to share photographs of the crashed Aircraft. However, it was eventually found that the unfortunate incident as a result of technical snag in a non-combat helicopter and had nothing to do with the confrontation between the two countries.  

Peddle a 2016 crash video as Pakistan strike

In an attempt to display their 'capability' in trying to attack Indian military installations, in response to a counter-terrorism operation by Indian Air Force, the Pakistan media carried videos of a MiG fighter crash from 2016 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, as soon as they were thwarted to reiterated the Pakistan Army's declaration of shooting down two Indian Aircraft. 

Suryakiran crash video as Pakistani strike 

Netizens across the border lauded the Pakistani Army by sharing a video of a Suryakiran Aircraft which had crashed during the Aero India show. Moreover, the fake news making rounds on social media was further propelled by boasting '2nd Indian pilot arrested alive'.

Striking India's Aircrafts

After Imran Khan failed to recognise their own Air Force officer and the propaganda that the Pakistan media indulged in, even the Pakistan military engaged in peddling lies after Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the spokesperson of Pak Army claimed 'PAF has shot down two Indian aircrafts' through his tweet. 

Whereas, the Indian defence sources have said that they have no unaccounted IAF jets.  

READ| ANOTHER PAK ATTEMPT: Day After Its F-16 Jet Was Shot Down By IAF, Pakistan Attempts Fresh Intrusion Into Indian Airspace. Details Here

Updated 13:54 IST, February 28th 2019

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