The Information Ministry of Pakistan has categorically rejected allegations that Pakistani fighter jets were harmed in a Houthi missile attack on a Saudi military base.
According to a statement posted on its fact-checking account on X, the ministry labeled these claims as “absolutely fake”. It accused certain social media accounts, which it identified as promoting Indian propaganda, of spreading misinformation about a supposed strike on King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia that reportedly damaged three PAF JF-17 aircraft and led to their evacuation.
To support its position, the ministry included a screenshot of a post from one of these accounts, which featured a prominent “fake” stamp. The statement clarified, “This is absolute (sic) fake. No credible or official source has reported any sort of damage to PAF JF-17s.” Furthermore, it asserted that the supposed damage and evacuation were part of a “blatant Indian propaganda campaign linked to Hindutva deceit and a deceptive mindset.”
Background on Pakistani Forces in Saudi Arabia
In April, Pakistani military personnel were stationed at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran as part of a cooperative defense agreement established between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year. This deployment aimed to enhance the security of the kingdom.
The Saudi defense ministry noted that the Pakistani contingent included fighter and support aircraft from the Pakistan Air Force, with the goal of improving military coordination and operational readiness between the armed forces of both nations.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia recently, coinciding with the expansion of the US-Israeli conflict concerning Iran. On Monday, they targeted King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, damaging various installations including hangars, radar systems, runways, and ammunition depots. In response to the assaults, Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts in Khamis Mushait and three additional southern regions.
Current Status of Attacks
Despite the recent Houthi aggression, no incidents involving attacks on King Abdulaziz Air Base have been confirmed yet. The situation remains closely monitored as tensions in the region continue to rise.
