A video showing thick smoke engulfing a mountainous region is being widely shared on social media with the claim that an aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar.
The above post can be seen here (archive)
NM VERIFIED
NewsMobile investigated the viral claim and found it to be misleading.
A keyword search did not yield any credible reports about an IAF aircraft crash in Kishtwar. Given the sensitivity of such an incident, it would have been widely reported by national and international media.
Further, the Press Information Bureau’s fact-check unit debunked the claim on April 25, 2026, confirming that no such aircraft crash had taken place.
Several social media posts have shared a video with the claim that an Indian Air Force aircraft crashed in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir#PIBFactCheck:
❌ This claim is FAKE!
⚠️ Do not share unverified videos or claims. Always rely on official sources for accurate information.
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 24, 2026
A report by Greater Kashmir also quoted the Indian Air Force dismissing the viral claim as false. According to the report, the rumours were likely triggered by a loud explosion-like sound reported in a forested area.
Officials clarified that the incident was linked to a forest fire, not an aircraft crash. Police teams inspected the site and confirmed that a massive blaze had broken out in the जंगल area, with firefighting operations underway to contain it. Authorities also stated that there was no evidence of any crash or suspicious activity at the location.
Additionally, Greater Kashmir’s official social media handle shared the same viral video, noting that it showed smoke rising from a forest area following a blast-like sound in Kishtwar’s Padder region.
In conclusion, the viral video does not show an Indian Air Force aircraft crash. It is related to a forest fire incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar. The claim circulating on social media is false and misleading.
