Viral Video of Downed Pakistani F-16 in Taliban Conflict Revealed as Fake

February 27, 2026– In the wake of a massive military escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, social media has been flooded with a dramatic video purportedly showing a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet shot down by Taliban forces. The footage, which has garnered millions of views across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram, shows a burning aircraft wreckage with visible Pakistani markings and a serial number.

However, a detailed investigation reveals that the video is misleading and likely manipulated, adding a layer of digital warfare to an already volatile “open war” on the ground.

The Origin of the Viral Claim

The controversy erupted early Friday morning following reports from Afghan media outlet Tolo News, which cited sources claiming that Taliban defensive forces had downed a Pakistani aircraft that entered Afghan airspace. Shortly after, a video surfaced showing a large, engulfed aircraft frame with a Pakistani flag and the tail number “85510” or “85610”.

Pro-Taliban accounts and several regional handles quickly circulated the clip, framing it as a major blow to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during its overnight operation, “Ghazab lil-Haq.”

Why the Video is Being Debunked

Aviation experts and fact-checkers have pointed out several glaring inconsistencies that suggest the footage is either old, from a different aircraft, or AI-generated:

• Structural Mismatch: The wreckage shown in the video is significantly larger than a standard F-16 Fighting Falcon. The F-16 is a compact, single-engine fighter; the debris in the clip appears to belong to a much larger airframe.
• Invalid Serial Numbers: Analysts noted that the tail number “85510” does not correspond to any active F-16 in the Pakistani inventory. Interestingly, a Reddit community pointed out that an American F-16 with a similar number crashed decades ago in a different context, suggesting the number may have been digitally superimposed.
• AI Manipulation: Forensic analysis by digital verification tools suggests the video has been manipulated using AI to add the Pakistani flag and specific markings onto existing footage of a different crash.

The Reality on the Ground: A State of “Open War”

While the video may be fake, the conflict it depicts is very real. On February 27, 2026, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared that the two nations are effectively in a state of “open war.” ### Key Developments:

• Operation Ghazab lil-Haq: Pakistan launched massive airstrikes targeting major Afghan cities, including Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Islamabad claims these strikes destroyed Taliban brigade headquarters and killed over 130 fighters.
• Taliban Retaliation: The Taliban-led government has denied the loss of its military infrastructure, claiming instead that the strikes hit residential areas. They asserted that their forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured 19 border posts in a fierce counter-offensive.
• Official Denial: The Pakistan military has categorically denied the loss of any aircraft, stating that all jets involved in the sorties returned to base safely.

The Danger of Misinformation

As tensions reach a boiling point along the Durand Line, the spread of “war porn” and fabricated footage serves as a potent tool for psychological operations (PsyOps). In a region where independent verification is nearly impossible due to closed borders and communications blackouts, viral videos can rapidly escalate public sentiment and influence military decision-making.