Fact-Check: AI-Generated Image Viral as Indian Rafale Shot Down by Pakistan

This image has been created using AI and is not real, as claimed.

Fact-Check: This image is generated using AI.

(Source: The Quint) 

An image has gone viral to claim that it shows an Indian Rafale fighter jet in flames after it was downed by Pakistan.

An archive of the post can be found hered. 

(Source: Instagram/Screenshot)

(Archives of similar claims can be found here and here.)

Is the claim true?: No, the claim is false. This image is generated using artificial intelligence tools.

What we found: We ran a Google reverse image search on the image but did not find any credible reports to prove the claim.

• We, then, noticed the logo of "Meta AI" at the bottom right logo of the image which indicated that the image was generated using AI.

Here is a close up of the logo. 

(Source: Altered by The Quint) 

• We, then, ran the image on AI-detection platforms such as Hive Moderation and AI or Not.

• Both these websites detected this image as AI-generated.

Here are the results by Hive Moderation. 

(Source: Hive Moderation) 

Here are the results by AI or Not. 

(Source: AI or Not) 

Moreover, there has been no official confirmation from the Indian government regarding any crashed Rafale jet as on 9 May 2025.

Conclusion: This image has been generated using AI and is not real as claimed.

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