A dramatic new vide of Bhatinda jet crash from the in Indian Punjab shows the burning remains of what appears to be an aircraft crash. This footage comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. According to Pakistani officials, their fighter pilots shot down five advanced Indian jets in a major air confrontation on Wednesday morning.
India has so far kept silent. There has been no confirmation or denial of these events from the Indian government. However, the BBC’s forensic team, BBC Verify, has confirmed the authenticity of three videos showing the aftermath of at least one Bhatinda jet crash.
BBC Verify reported that all three clips were filmed in the same agricultural field near Bhatinda. In one of the videos, Indian soldiers can be seen gathering wreckage. Among the debris were fragments that looked strikingly similar to parts of a Rafale jet. These French-made aircraft were recently added to the Indian Air Force fleet.
Two more clips, filmed at night, show fiery wreckage and a projectile flashing through the sky before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Analysts reviewing the footage believe this may be evidence of a mid-air engagement or dogfight, supporting Pakistan’s claims of downing multiple Indian warplanes.
Former British Army officer Justin Crump, now CEO of Sibylline, reviewed the videos for the BBC. He noted that the wreckage appeared to include a French-made air-to-air missile. These are compatible with both Rafale and Mirage 2000 aircraft, both used by India.
An image spreading across social media added to the mounting evidence. It showed a tail fin with the markings “BS001” and “Rafale.” BBC Verify used reverse image search tools to confirm that the image was recent and not linked to any past plane crashes.
The situation has captured the attention of military experts around the world. Many are closely watching these developments to assess the real-world strength of fighter jets, missiles, and pilot capabilities in intense aerial combat. Some believe the incident could highlight the rising effectiveness of Chinese-made jets now used by Pakistan.
Two senior U.S. officials told Reuters that at least two Indian jets were brought down in the clash. This claim adds weight to Pakistan’s version of events and suggests a turning point in air defense and strike power in the region.
During a press briefing, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri avoided answering questions directly. He neither confirmed nor denied reports about the lost aircraft.
As more details emerge, the aircraft crash near Bhatinda may mark a significant moment in South Asian air combat history.
