As tensions between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India ease after a fierce aerial engagement, a video has emerged showing wreckage—including an engine and tail section—washed ashore in Bathinda. Shared by defense account Clash Report on X, the footage sparked debate when experts noted the engine’s resemblance to the M88 turbofan, the French-made powerplant exclusive to Rafale fighters.
Queries to Grok, the AI chatbot from xAI, lent weight to the theory: “It is highly probable that the debris discovered in Bathinda belongs to a Rafale jet, as the M88 engine is unique to that aircraft. The tail section also aligns with the serial number BS001, known to be assigned to an Indian Rafale.” Reports citing a French intelligence source further claim that one Rafale was indeed downed in the recent skirmish—though Indian defense officials have yet to confirm any losses.
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While analysts urge caution over image inconsistencies and the absence of official verification, the distinctive components in the Bathinda wreckage have made dismissing the possibility increasingly difficult. A confirmed loss of a Rafale—a centerpiece of India’s modern air fleet—would represent a major shift in the region’s strategic balance.
