Central government on Thursday firmly refuted a viral social media report stating that an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 UPG fighter aircraft was downed and its pilot killed on May 7.
The PIB Fact Check team has labeled the report fake and out of the context, clarifying that the pilot mentioned is safe, on duty, and currently deployed.
"A report going viral on social media says an Indian Air Force fighter jet MiG-29 UPG has been downed and the IAF pilot killed. This is false. The @IAF_MCC pilot is safe, on duty, and presently deployed," the official PIB Fact Check handle tweeted on X.".
The forged post seems to be related to Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror operation undertaken in response to the terror strike in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.
The forged message, which is going viral, states that on May 7, a MiG-29 UPG was downed by a Pakistan Air Force JF-17C in Ramban in Jammu & Kashmir, killing Squadron Leader Keshav Yadav.
The false post states: "On 7 May 2025, #IndianAirForce (#IAF) MiG-29 UPG downed by a #PakistanAirForce JF-17C with a PL-15 LRAAM over Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir, was piloted by Sqn. Ldr. Keshav Yadav (IAF No. 32394), who got injured and passed away on 22 May 2025 at Udhampur Military Hospital, Jammu & Kashmir. #IndiaPakistanWar #IndiaPakistanWar2025 #JF17 #MIG29"
Rejecting the allegation in toto, the government made it clear that no such incident occurred on May 7 or otherwise.
"The claim is completely false. No IAF plane has been downed, and the said pilot is alive and serving on duty," the PIB Fact Check post explained.
Authorities have asked the public not to spread unverified information and cautioned that fake news, particularly on issues of national security, can be consequential.
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