what are you talking about
A video claiming to show a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down by Afghan forces has gone viral on social media. Footage shows the burning wreckage of the plane, with Pakistan markings and the tail number 85510 engraved on it. However, visual analysis suggests that while the video may be real, it has been manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The aircraft in the video does not look like an F-16 jet
Social media users have pointed out that the size and structure of the aircraft seen in the video do not match that of an F-16 fighter jet. Additionally, the tail serial number “85510” does not match any known Pakistani F-16 inventory. This raises further questions about the authenticity of the footage.
Video purports to show downed Pakistani F-16
🚨Important news💥
This is a Pakistani military US-made F-16 shot down by the Afghan Defense Forces. pic.twitter.com/7qBAjv89rk
— Afghanistan Defense (@AFG Defense) February 27, 2026
Video released as tensions rise between Pakistan and Afghanistan
The video was released amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The conflict has intensified as Pakistan has launched airstrikes on Kabul and other major Afghan cities. The Taliban claim 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, but Pakistani officials say the strikes killed 133 Taliban fighters and injured more than 200.
Pakistan claims to have killed more than 130 Taliban fighters
Local media reported that Pakistani security officials confirmed that air and ground operations targeted Taliban strongholds, headquarters and ammunition depots along the border. The airstrikes follow previous air strikes in Pakistan, which the Islamabad government said targeted TTP and Islamic State camps in eastern Afghanistan. However, the Taliban regime disputed this claim, saying the airstrikes had caused civilian casualties.
Taliban threatens retaliation for Pakistan’s actions
Taliban officials have threatened to retaliate again for Pakistan’s recent actions. Clashes intensified on Thursday night, with Taliban forces claiming to have attacked Pakistani military positions along the border. In response, Pakistan announced the launch of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif posted on social media: “Our patience has reached its limit. Now an all-out war has begun between us and you.”
