New Delhi: Panic gripped Karachi city of Pakistan last night, when a citywide blackout was imposed by authorities. Twitter was abuzz with users claiming IAF jets had entered the city’s airspace and that led to the blackout. ‘Karachi Blackout’ also trended on the social media.
As per defence journalist Shiv Aroor, amid the Karachi blackout, rumours spread of Indian Air Force (IAF) jets entering the city’s airspace.
Fright in #Karachi during blackout yesterday, rumours of IAF jets intruding — That’s the true impact of Balakot 2019. Bombing a bunch of terrorists on a hill is one thing. JeM far from broken. But a country freaking out, mistaking PAF jets for IAF jets = msg delivered & locked.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) June 10, 2020
Karachi locals posted images of jets flying over city
As per reports, various locals in Karachi had fuelled intense social media speculation by posting late night images of jets flying over their city while claiming that they were IAF jets in-process of carrying out a surgical strike.
“Dear @IndianPakistan, rumors are rife about Indian Air Force incursions into Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the Sindh-Rajasthan sector. Recommend you put out a statement to clarify. Also, recommend that everybody chill and enjoy the week,” tweeted Waj Khan, a former reporter at NBC News.
Dear @IndiainPakistan, rumors are rife about Indian Air Force incursions into Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the Sindh-Rajasthan sector. Recommend you put out a statement to clarify. Also recommend that everybody chill and enjoy the week.
— Waj Khan ✊?✊? وجاہت خان (@WajSKhan) June 9, 2020
“I definitely saw jet planes live near the airport. What’s up,” said Laraib Mohib from Karachi “There were a lot of fighter jets flying around in Karachi probably,” added Ayesha Zafar, also from Karachi.
It’s probably after 27th Feb 2019 that I have heard so many PAF jets patrolling the sky. I hope nothing serious is happening or expected to happen.
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) June 9, 2020
BREAKING : Sleepless Night for Imran Khan!!
IAF Jets went close to Karachi. #Karachi reportedly under blackout ?? Panic grips Southern parts of Pak #PKMKB— Rosy (@rose_k01) June 9, 2020
#PAF Fighter jet “JF17 Thunder ” & Mirage” patrolling over #Karachi and boarder areas of Sindh after formation of Cowards Indian jets was identified near LOC (#Sindh, #Pakistan)#Airstrike #India #IAF #SurgicalStrike #IndianArmy #PakistanAirForce pic.twitter.com/iO17VExvPK
— Salman Mansoor (@salmanzit) June 9, 2020
As per these social media users in Pakistan, the IAF jets flying over Karachi led to a “blackout” in the city. With the blackout in Karachi, many took to Twitter to talk about what they thought was a repeat of the Balakot airstrikes carried out by the IAF last year. Some said on Twitter that the authorities put Karachi under blackout after IAF fighters were seen flying near the city.
However, IAF sources have denied any such activity by its fighter aircraft over Pakistan.
