Fact-Check: Was an IAF Sikh Jawan pushed off by his fellow Hindu commandos during a training exercise? Here’s the reality

Some Pakistan-based handles took to X(formerly Twitter) and claimed that an Indian Air Force Garud commando fell from a plane near Agra. Insider reports revealed that he was a Sikh, and his fellow Hindu commandos pushed him off mid-air.

An X handle named Psywar Bureau posted an image on X and wrote: “#BREAKING NEWS

An Indian Air Force Garud commando fell from a plane near Agra. Insider reports reveal he was a Sikh, and his fellow commandos pushed him off mid-air! Murdered by his comrades—a shocking reminder of the hatred that runs deep within India’s forces”.

Moreover, another account posted the same image and claimed similar facts on X. The preview link can be seen here.

Fact-Check

The DFRAC team investigated this claim and found it to be false.
Using Google keyword search, we found some latest reports from various media outlets such as Deccan Herald, The Economic Times, The Times of India and ETV Bharat, related to this tragic incident. As per reports, an Indian Air Force (IAF) jawan from Karnataka died during a parachute training exercise in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra district on Friday. According to the police sources here, the jawan, identified only as Manjunath, a warrant officer in the IAF, died after his parachute failed to open during the exercise in the Malpura parachute drop zone in the district around 9 in the morning.Sources said that 12 trainee jumpers, led by IAF officer Wing Commander Rohit Dahiya, were taking part in the exercise when the incident happened.

Furthermore, the reports stated that the Police said that while 11 jumpers landed safely on the ground, one jawan failed to land. A search was launched for him by the other jawans and a little later Manjunath was found lying in a field in Sutendi village. The local police also reached the site upon getting the information. He was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead by the doctors

Conclusion

It is evident from DFRAC’s fact-check that the viral claim alleging the victim is a Sikh who has been pushed off by his fellow commandos is misleading indeed. Originally, the IAF jawan died after his parachute failed to open during the exercise in the Malpura parachute drop zone.

Analysis: Misleading