QUETTA: Claims circulating on social media that Pakistani fighter jets bombed populated areas near Surab in Balochistan, killing civilians, are misleading, according to local and security authorities.
The Claim
Accounts linked to Fitna al-Hindustan (FAH) launched a campaign on X claiming that Pakistani fighter jets had carried out airstrikes in the Gidar area near Surab, killing civilians and damaging residential buildings.
The posts sought to portray the damage and civilian casualties in the area as the result of an aerial attack.
The Fact Check
Local and security authorities said the damage was caused by an explosion involving a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) that was being prepared by FAH militants near Surab.
According to the authorities, the device exploded while it was being prepared, killing nine militants.
Nearby houses were damaged in the blast, while civilian casualties were also reported in the area, the authorities said.
Security forces and Levies personnel subsequently moved into the area and launched operations against militants and facilitators who were attempting to flee, according to the authorities.
The available account from local and security officials therefore contradicts the social media claim that Pakistani fighter jets caused the damage.
There was no evidence in the information provided by the authorities that the reported destruction was caused by an airstrike.
Verdict: Misleading
The claim that Pakistani fighter jets bombed populated areas near Surab and caused the reported civilian casualties is misleading.
The damage and casualties were reported following an explosion involving a vehicle-borne device that authorities said was being prepared by FAH militants. The blast reportedly killed nine militants and also damaged nearby houses and injured or killed civilians in the vicinity.
Fitna al-Hindustan has previously been accused by Pakistani authorities of carrying out attacks against civilians and development projects.
