Claim: An image depicts attacks carried out during ‘Operation Sarbakaf’ in Bajaur.
Fact: The image dates back to September 2019 and actually shows the US bombing of an island in northern Iraq. It is unrelated to the operation in Bajaur, Pakistan.
An image was shared on social media with captions alleging that it shows attacks from the ongoing military operation in Bajaur.
For instance, X user @SanaUll33096585 shared the image, writing, “یہ کوئی شام، عراق، فلسطین یا کشمیر کے مناظر نہیں بلکہ یہ پختونخوا کا علاقہ باجوڑ ہے جہاں آج صبح سے پاکستانی فوج عوامی آبادی میں گھس کر حملے کررہے ہیں جس کی وجہ سے آبادیوں کو کافی نقصان ہوا ہے اور اموات کا خدشہ ہے،
پاکستان میں پختونوں کی یہ حالت زندگی ہے۔
#BajaurUnderStateAttack”
[Translation: These are not scenes from Syria, Iraq, Palestine, or Kashmir, but rather from Bajaur of Pakhtunkhwa, where, since this morning, the Pakistani army has been entering civilian areas and carrying out attacks, causing significant damage to the populations and raising fears of casualties.
This is life for Pashtuns in Pakistan.]
What happened in Bajaur?
On 27 July, a joint police and FC checkpost in Thangi, Salarzai tehsil in Bajaur was attacked. While the attack was thwarted by the security forces, the Bajaur administration imposed a three-day curfew and launched ‘Operation Sarbakaf’ against terrorists on 29 July. All kinds of movement in 16 areas of the region had been prohibited on the recommendation of the district intelligence coordination committee. According to The Friday Times, sources within the security forces claimed the operation was aimed at known militant hideouts, with reports of at least four militants killed, 12 injured, and around 10 captured. However, there is no official confirmation for these figures yet.
Locals and political figures voiced alarm over alleged civilian casualties, claiming two civilians were killed and eight others injured during crossfire. The incident triggered protests in War Mamund, with residents, including young people and activists, condemning the operation and demanding civilian protection. “Speakers at the demonstration criticised both the military and the militants, alleging that both were responsible for targeting the local population,” according to Voicepk.net.
Amid the ongoing operation, residents of Mamund Tehsil have fled their homes toward safer areas, with many taking refuge with relatives. In the absence of government relief camps, Alkhidmat Foundation stepped in by setting up a relief camp at Badisya, where displaced families are being offered food, shelter, and other necessities.
While the KP government initially opposed the operation, Chief Minister Gandapur later expressed support for a “targeted” campaign against militants, contradicting his earlier stance, according to Pakistan Today. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan reportedly criticised Gandapur for failing to maintain peace and suggested he should resign if he cannot restore law and order. Gandapur convened the first of several regional jirgas with tribal elders and lawmakers to address security issues and explore non-military solutions, according to a statement from the CM Office posted on X. The jirga participants unanimously opposed forced displacement and emphasised negotiation-based approaches, including possible talks with Afghanistan, the statement said.
The military operation has continued despite ongoing discussions and opposition from locals and politicians. No official statement has been issued by the defence ministry or other authorities regarding its conclusion.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check questioned the authenticity of the viral image because some users flagged it as unrelated or old. A reverse-search led us to a CNN Arabic video from 10 September 2019, titled “لحظة إلقاء أطنان من المتفجرات على مواقع لداعش في العراق” [The moment tons of explosives were dropped on ISIS positions in Iraq].
The viral image appears to be a still from this video. According to the description, the US-led international coalition had released footage of F-15 and F-35 fighter jets bombing ISIS positions in northern Iraq with approximately 36 tons of munitions.
The same image was also published in a Sky News article dated 11 September 2019, titled “‘IS-infested’ island wiped out by 40 tonnes of explosives.” The article reported that US warplanes had dropped 40 tonnes of explosives on Qanus Island in the Tigris River during a joint operation with the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service at the time.
A caption below the viral image read, “The airstrikes were carried out across the mile-and-a-half-long Qanus Island.” Fox 32 also shared the same video featuring the viral image in 2019.
Considering that the image was consistently shared in relation to the US strikes in Iraq in 2019, Soch Fact Check concludes that the image is unrelated to the current operation in Bajaur.
Virality
The image was shared here, here, here, here, here, and here on Facebook. Archived here, here, here, here, here, and here.
On Instagram, it was shared here (archive), here (archive), and here (archive).
On X, it was shared here, here, here, and here. Archived here, here, here, and here.
Conclusion: The viral image does not show attacks from the ongoing military operation in Bajaur. The image circulated in news reports about US bombings in Iraq in 2019.
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Background image in cover photo: X
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