SOURCE: AFI
A recently surfaced video, reportedly filmed in Bhimber, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), dated to the first week of May, may offer the first visual evidence suggesting that a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) two-seater fighter jet was shot down during a reported Indo-Pakistani aerial clash.
In the footage, local residents are seen combing a forested area, searching for what they believe to be two pilots who ejected from a stricken aircraft. One individual filming the incident is heard stating that locals witnessed two pilots ejecting near a forested stretch, and that a makeshift search party had been assembled to locate them.
The video adds another layer to the speculation around an aerial encounter that allegedly occurred earlier this year. Interestingly, one of the locals in the video claims that a Rafale jet has been shot down—a statement that does not align with any official Indian or international reports. The Indian Air Force has not lost any Rafale or other fighter jet in PoK or in the Bhimber region during that time frame.
This discrepancy, however, raises the possibility that the aircraft involved may have actually been a PAF fighter, possibly a two-seater variant such as the JF-17B or an F-16D, both of which are in service with the Pakistan Air Force. Misidentification of aircraft is not uncommon in chaotic combat or post-crash scenarios, particularly among civilians.
If verified, this could be the first concrete indication that a PAF aircraft was lost during the engagement, with both pilots potentially having ejected and landed in PoK territory. However, no official confirmation has been made by either side, and the Pakistan Air Force has not acknowledged the loss of any fighter aircraft during this period.
The video has begun circulating in defense circles and open-source intelligence (OSINT) communities, with analysts calling for geolocation and forensic verification of the footage. The location—Bhimber, situated near the Line of Control (LoC)—is a known hotspot for cross-border military activity and surveillance.
As of now, the Indian Ministry of Defence has not issued any statement regarding the claims made in the video. Nevertheless, the footage could become a focal point in unraveling the events of the alleged air engagement—possibly exposing a previously unacknowledged PAF loss.
Video link https://x.com/Ray70409890/status/1940065410260640219
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