'Absolutely fake': Info ministry rubbishes claims of PAF jets getting damaged in Houthi attack on Saudi base

The Ministry of Information in Pakistan has firmly rejected claims that Pakistani F-17 jets were damaged in a Houthi attack on a Saudi base. In a statement on their fact-checking social media account, the ministry labeled the allegations "absolutely fake." They pointed to social media posts by Indian propaganda accounts suggesting the Houthi missiles had struck the King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia, damaging three PAF JF-17 aircraft and leading to their evacuation.

The ministry shared a screenshot of such a post, clearly marking it as "fake." They emphasized that no credible or official sources have reported any damage to PAF JF-17s, labeling the claims as deliberate fabrication of Indian propaganda as part of a Hindutva deceit. The Pakistani forces were stationed at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran in April as part of a joint defense cooperation agreement between the two nations.

The deployment aimed to strengthen Saudi security. According to the Saudi defence ministry, the Pakistani forces included fighter and support aircraft with the goal of enhancing military coordination and operational readiness between the armed forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Houthi attacks have been reported in recent days as the US-Israeli war on Iran escalates into a broader conflict.

On Monday, the Houthis targeted the King Khalid air base in Khamis Mushait, damaging hangars, radar installations, runways, and ammunition stores. Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts in Khamis Mushait and three other southern regions following the attacks. However, no attacks on the King Abdulaziz Air Base have been confirmed.