Following India’s Operation Sindoor—a series of precision strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan—the situation between India and Pakistan has escalated significantly.
The operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. India’s strikes on May 7 targeted nine locations associated with militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan retaliated with heavy shelling in border areas, leading to civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. The conflict marked the first drone battle between the two nuclear-armed nations. A ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10, following diplomatic interventions, but tensions remain high, with both sides maintaining a state of heightened alert.
In the above context, an image of what looks like a drone burning in an open field has gone viral.
Those sharing the image claim it shows an Indian air defence system that was destroyed by a Pakistani jet at Bhuj Airbase in Gujarat.
A social media user shared the video containing the image with the caption, “Bhuj Airbase Gujarat. Image of Indian air defence system being hit. Part scattered close to the runway.”
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The video shows a Pakistani drone downed in Kutch.
On a Google reverse image search, we found the same video was shared as a YouTube Reel on May 11. The video was shared with a caption that reads, “Indian forces targeted and damaged key Pakistani military assets, including airfields and command centres, crippling their capabilities. Despite a ceasefire, Pakistan violated the truce, prompting continued Indian retaliation. The impact on Pakistan’s military is significant.”
We also found that the image was shared by Hindustan Times on May 10, with a caption that reads, “Wrecked remains of a Pakistan Army armed drone, brought down by Indian Army using the L-70 air defence guns, in Kachchh on Saturday. (ANI)”
The report stated that Operation Sindoor inflicted significant damage on Pakistan's military infrastructure, including airfields, air defence systems, and command centres, rendering its airspace untenable and severely impairing its operational capabilities.
The image was also shared by NDTV. According to the report, which was published on May 10, 2025, India’s indigenous D4 anti-drone system, developed by DRDO, has proven highly effective in neutralising Pakistani drones during recent conflicts, enhancing the nation's aerial defence capabilities
Therefore, we can ascertain that the viral claim is false.
