New Delhi, Aug 13 (NationPress) Unveiling Pakistan's ongoing efforts to craft a misleading narrative, the Indian Open-Source Intelligence (OSNIT) community has effectively refuted allegations made by Pakistani individuals who disseminated videos claiming that Indian aircraft had crashed near them during Operation Sindoor.

Recent analyses spanning three months indicate that the videos, mainly recorded by locals in regions such as Dina, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), serve as circumstantial evidence suggesting the crash of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets amidst the clashes.

According to the Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW) report, "The videos circulating on platforms like X show local residents in Pakistan documenting debris and speculating on downed aircraft, with some asserting they have seen pilots parachuting down. These narratives echo the tumultuous aftermath of the February 27, 2019 aerial confrontation when Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) initially claimed it had captured three Indian pilots, later reducing the figure to one — Wing Commander Varthaman — after downing his MiG-21."

As noted by the Indian OSNIT community, the latest videos reflect a recurring pattern of misinformation reminiscent of 2019, where Pakistani locals and officials attempted to depict Indian Air Force (IAF) losses while concealing PAF casualties during Operation Sindoor, which commenced in May 2025 as a counter to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The report highlights that during Operation Sindoor, the IAF executed precision strikes on nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and PoK, dismantling critical PAF infrastructure, including airfields, command centers, and radar systems. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed that the IAF successfully downed at least five PAF fighter jets and one large aircraft, presumed to be an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, employing advanced systems like the S-400.

The OSNIT analysis emphasizes the psychological and propaganda dimensions of the conflict. It suggests that, motivated by Pakistani authorities, locals appear to be recreating the 2019 incident, where footage of a captured Indian pilot gained widespread traction, perpetuating the Pakistani narrative. However, the Indian OSNIT community argues that the recent videos "inadvertently reveal PAF’s failures," with residents misidentifying their downed aircraft as Indian jets.

The report notes, "The precedent set in 2019 continues to influence these discussions. Following the Balakot incident, ISPR's initial assertion of capturing three pilots was debunked when only one, Wing Commander Varthaman, was confirmed, while Pakistan failed to acknowledge its own losses, including an F-16 shot down by the IAF."

Moreover, the IAF's decisive advantage in Operation Sindoor is evidenced by its utilization of advanced systems like the S-400 and indigenous counter-drone technologies, which have compelled Pakistan to propagate a false narrative.

The Indian OSNIT community has been instrumental in dismantling misinformation, using open-source tools to geolocate videos, scrutinize wreckage, and corroborate with the IAF's official reports. Numerous social media posts highlighted specific elements, such as the lack of IAF-specific components like Russian AL-31F engines in the debris, further undermining Pakistani claims.