Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a video of a rocket streaking across the sky, falsely claiming that it shows Pakistan launching a hypersonic missile in Balochistan. In reality, this claim is entirely false. The viral footage is an old clip of a Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in December 2017, not a Pakistani missile. Additionally, several propaganda accounts are sharing images of iridescent or spiral-shaped clouds, alleging that these are scenes from the alleged missile launch. These visuals are actually of natural atmospheric phenomena and unrelated to any weapons test.
The false claim originated from propaganda accounts such as @TacticalTribun, @NavCom24, @TheDailyCPEC, and @ZardSi, who posted the video and claimed that “a local from Balochistan captured footage showing Pakistan’s hypersonic missile reaching Mach 5+ speed.”
Several other influencers including @PakUrdu_, @Currentreport1, @theq10fx, @defence_insider, @SafinaKhann,
@Osint613, @isb_vibe, @Conflict_Radar, @OGMuseDoree1, @TheSaadKaiser, @KazmiWajahat, @ForumStrategic, @MansoorDhillon_, @ashrafnsier and @MonitorX99800 amplified this misinformation across platforms to create hype about a nonexistent hypersonic missile test.
Truth: 2017 Falcon 9 Rocket Launch and Natural Cloud Formation Misused to Spread False Claims
As the false claim gained traction on social media, it drew our attention. The D-Intent Data Team conducted a detailed frame-by-frame investigation and keyword analysis. Our findings led us to official and credible sources confirming the real origin of the visuals. The rocket footage matches the Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base (December 2017), as documented in public archives. The images of swirling lights and colorful skies are not missile trails but rare atmospheric events.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (@pmdgov) posted about a “Rare Lenticular Cloud Formation Over Quetta” observed on October 28, 2025, describing how it appeared before sunrise over Koh-e-Murdaar and dissipated within 20 minutes. Similarly, India Today explained such visuals as part of a “Twilight Phenomenon”, while Back to Nature (Nov 2019) identified them as circumhorizontal arcs — rainbow-like effects caused by sunlight refracting through ice crystals in high-altitude clouds.
In conclusion, the viral visuals are not related to any Pakistani missile test, but are either old space launch footage or natural atmospheric phenomena.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) October 29, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a video of a rocket streaking across the sky,falsely claiming that it shows Pakistan launching a hypersonic missile in Balochistan.This claim is entirely false. The video is actually an old clip (1/4) pic.twitter.com/nds4tq6QvI
Intent:
Propaganda accounts are circulating old and unrelated visuals with self-invented claims to set their narrative over Pakistan defence.
Conclusion:
Claim: Pakistan launched a hypersonic missile in Balochistan, as shown in viral videos and images.
Fact: The footage is from a 2017 Falcon 9 rocket launch in the U.S., and the images show natural lenticular and circumhorizontal cloud formations, not a missile test.
Related Article: Fact Check: False Claims of U.S. Approving Sale of AIM-120 AMRAAM Missiles to Pakistan – D-Intent Data
