An Indian Air Force aircraft has crashed in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday morning. As per reports, The aircraft crashed in an open field near Garend Kalaan village in Budgam around 10 am. It reportedly caught fire immediately after breaking into two. Soon after, Pakistan began to spread fake news.

The cause of the crash is believed to be a technical slag, as per reports. The Pakistani media, however, is claiming that the aircraft was brought down by Pakistani jets. In reality, the Pakistani aircraft did attempt to violate India airspace but were rebuffed by Indian jets and forced to go back. Reports have also emerged of one PAF F16 being shot down in the process.

#BREAKING: Pakistan attempts to violate Indian Air space. Also, Pak media resorts to fake news. | @RShivshankar with details. pic.twitter.com/4RHUEkdHaG — TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 27, 2019

Pakistan has been spreading numerous fake images claiming that they have indeed brought down some Indian aircraft. Images from a crash in 2016 are being peddled as PoK crash today.

Desperate PsyOps by Pak? Playing mind games? 2016 MiG 27 Jodhpur shown as PoK crash today, reports @sachinsingh1010. Social media warfare by Pak? https://t.co/tJ2o3mkvaE — GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) February 27, 2019

Another image of a crash from 2018 is also being shared for the same purpose.

FACT CHECK FOR PAK TROLLS: That’s a 2018 crash of a Hawk trainer in Odisha. https://t.co/08P1ZjF7VR — Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) February 27, 2019

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Moreover, as pointed out by others, the distance between Rajouri, the place where PAF violated Indian Airspace, and Budgam is about 200 km. Therefore, it’s nearly impossible for the Pakistani jets to have brought down the Indian aircraft.

Pakistan fighter jets violated Indian airspace in Rajouri, Indian fighter jet crashed in Budgam. Distance between these two places is around 200 kilometres. It is highly unlikely that Pakistan jets shot the Indian warplane. https://t.co/542RaHIt0q — Uzair Hasan Rizvi (@RizviUzair) February 27, 2019

The propaganda being peddled is likely intended to give the Pakistani Army a face-saver in front of their own citizens after they were left embarrassed as Indian aircraft managed to hit terrorist camps within Pakistani territory without incurring any damage.

The pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft are believed to have unfortunately died in the incident. Reportedly, in total, 4 people have lost their lives.

Confirmed. Very sad. This crash was a Mi-17 V5 helicopter. There was likely a technical malfunction (expect Pak to claim they shot it down, but very unlikely). Four killed in this accident, reports @RahulSinghx. pic.twitter.com/GnjqeLMQlc — Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) February 27, 2019

The Helicopter that crashed was in Mi-17 V5 Helicopter.