Image Showing Last Rites of IAF Pilot Killed in Pak Airstrike Fake
In the aftermath of the recent aerial engagement between Indian and Pakistani forces on May 7, social media platforms have been flooded with false and misleading information. One such image that gained significant traction online shows a burning pyre, with many Pakistan-based accounts claiming that it shows the last rites of a Rafale pilot killed in the retaliatory strikes by Pakistan’s armed forces.
However, after conducting a thorough verification, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has found that the image is, in fact, fake. The image is not from the recent incident, but rather dates back to 2008.
The image, which was widely shared on social media, showed a mass cremation taking place in Gujarat, India. The PIB fact-check team was quick to identify the forgery and issued a statement to set the record straight.
Verification Process
To verify the authenticity of the image, the PIB fact-check team employed a multi-step process. They began by analyzing the image itself, looking for any visual clues that could indicate its age or origin. The team noticed that the image appeared to be an old photograph, with a distinct style and aesthetic that was characteristic of photography from the early 2000s.
Next, the team conducted a reverse image search to see if the image had been used previously in any other context. This search revealed that the image had been shared online several times previously, but all of these instances predated the recent aerial engagement between India and Pakistan.
The PIB team also reached out to local authorities in Gujarat to verify the image. After conducting an investigation, the authorities confirmed that the image was taken during a mass cremation that took place in Gujarat in 2008, following a major fire incident that had claimed many lives.
Conclusion
The PIB’s fact-check investigation has conclusively shown that the image showing a burning pyre is fake. The image is not from the recent incident, but rather dates back to 2008. The fact that the image was shared widely on social media, with many Pakistan-based accounts claiming that it shows the last rites of a Rafale pilot killed in the retaliatory strikes by Pakistan’s armed forces, is a clear example of how false information can spread quickly online.
It is essential for social media users to verify the authenticity of information before sharing it with others. This can be done by conducting a reverse image search, checking the credibility of the source, and looking for any visual clues that could indicate the age or origin of the image.
Source
For more information on this fact-check, please visit: https://x.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1922685129417240787
