DigitEye India Fact Checkers
Indian Air Force conducted Balakot airstrikes in February this year in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. However, on October 4, the Indian Air Force (IAF) released a promotional video on Balakot airstrike which was broadcast widely on several TV channels and Republic TV played the footage as “IAF’s Balakot proof”. Zee TV followed the suit.
बालाकोट में एयर स्ट्राइक का पहला VIDEO जारी, वायुसेना की फिल्म में हमले के सबूत#AirStrike #Balakot @IAF_MCC https://t.co/3wcum52tyM
— Zee News (@ZeeNews) October 4, 2019
All the media outlets reported the representational video as “real” footage of IAF’s airstrike in Pakistan. One report of PTI published in Firstpost and Business Standard claimed, “Ahead of the press conference, the IAF also showed video clips of the Balakot strikes.”
Fact Check
However, ANI has uploaded the footage released by IAF, clearly stating that it was a promotional clip showcasing the Balakot aerial strike.
#WATCH Indian Air Force showcases the story of the Balakot aerial strikes in a promotional video at the annual Air Force Day press conference by Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria. pic.twitter.com/GBRWwWe6sJ
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2019
Video shown ahead of Air Chief PC talking about Balakot strikes. Its a promotional video. Air Chief has also clarified in the PC, “no shots of Balakot strikes in the video” pic.twitter.com/urhni4CFFJ
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) October 4, 2019
Conclusion: The footage was a representational video released by the IAF on the occasion of Air Force Day on October 8, and not the actual footage of Balakot airstrike. Our rating of the claim is ??? Misrepresentation.
