IAF, PIB Dismiss Claims of Aircraft Crash in J&K’s Kishtwar as False

VoM News Desk | April 24, 2026 | 10:31 PM IST | Breaking News, Jammu Kashmir, Kishtwar | Follow on Google News

IAF, PIB Dismiss Claims of Aircraft Crash in J&K’s Kishtwar as False

KISHTWAR, Apr 24 (VoM News) — The Indian Air Force on Friday refuted reports of an aircraft crash in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, terming them “false” and urging the public to rely only on verified information.

The clarification came after claims circulated on social media that a fighter jet had crashed in the region following a loud explosion reportedly heard in parts of Kishtwar. Some locals also reported seeing smoke rising from a hilltop area, triggering concern.

In a statement, an IAF spokesperson said there was no such incident. “There are certain media outlets and social media handles claiming an IAF aircraft has crashed near Kishtwar. This report is false,” the spokesperson said.

The Press Information Bureau also issued a fact-check, confirming that a video being widely shared online falsely linked the smoke visuals to an aircraft crash. Officials said the footage was being misrepresented and had no connection to any IAF activity.

Authorities said the misinformation spread rapidly after being picked up by several online platforms, including some foreign social media accounts, causing panic among residents.

Officials have advised media organisations and the public to verify information through official channels before sharing. The PIB urged users not to circulate unverified videos and to report misleading content.

While the source of the explosion-like sound and smoke remains unclear, officials said there was no evidence of any aviation-related incident in the area.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.