On February 27, 2026, amid escalating conflict along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border (Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia), viral social media posts—particularly from pro-Taliban accounts like @AFGDefense—claimed that Afghan forces shot down a PAF jet using shoulder-fired MANPADS. The video shows burning wreckage with Pakistani markings and serial number (e.g., 85510 or 85610), which is said to be an F-16.
**Tolo News** reported (citing security source) that Afghan forces violated airspace and shot down a Pakistani aircraft, but did not specify the type (F-16/JF-17 not confirmed). Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid mentioned retaliatory action and capturing the post, but made no claim of downing the jet.
Pakistan has denied the loss of any aircraft, and said all assets were returned safely, with no reports of any missing pilots. None of the credible international outlets (CNN, Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC) have confirmed the downing of the jet—only citing Afghan claims, with differing casualty narratives (Taliban: 55 Pakistani soldiers killed; Pakistan: 133 Taliban fighters killed).
**Fact-check elements**:
– Viral footage shows inconsistencies (wrong size/shape for F-16/JF-17, mismatched serials not in PAF inventory).
– Analysts/OSINT noted technical impossibility: Modern jets fly at altitude (20,000–30,000 ft); MANPADS are effective only at low altitudes. – Clips are probably recycled (from old crashes, AI generated, or derived from them—like earlier falsehoods of the India-Pakistan/Afghanistan wars).
– In some reports it is clearly described as fake/AI tampered (India Today, NDTV, Defense Mirror).
**Verdict**: There is no definitive evidence that it was toppled. This is wartime propaganda—both sides exaggerate to boost morale. Pakistan’s F-16s (75–80) are very valuable; JF-17 (150+) are more common for border operations. The claims have not yet been confirmed; Keep an eye on official statements.
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