Claim: This commentator, who is presumably pro-Pakistan, claims to be posting about French-made Rafale fighters, used by the Indian Air Force, shot down during last night's strike on Pakistan, near Bahawalpur.

Rating

DW Fact check: False. The picture attached to the post does show a French-designed aircraft. However, it is not a Rafale fighter but a Mirage 5. This type of assault jet was retrofitted for the Pakistan Air Force so that it could carry and deliver nuclear weapons. According to India TV, Dawn and The Economic Times, the wreck shown on this particular post had been of a plane on a training mission in Punjab in southeastern Pakistan three weeks ago. Both pilots survived with minor injuries after ejecting themselves and escaping the crash near Multan. The historic region of Punjab was partitioned in the middle of last century when the modern states of India, Pakistan, and, several decades later, Bangladesh emerged, following the subcontinent's independence from the British Empire. Therefore, there are two Punjab areas, one as a province in Pakistan, and the other as a state in India.

Reviewed by DW Fact check ↗ · May 7, 2025