Fact Check: Video shows Islamabad under attack during Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict? No, here’s the truth
A video claiming to show Islamabad burning amid the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict is being widely shared on social media.
By - M Ramesh Naik
Claim:The video shows Islamabad on fire during the ongoing Pakistan - Afghanistan conflict.
Fact:False. The video shows a major fire that broke out in the Zaraib (Zarayeb) area of Mansheyet Nasser (Cairo’s Garbage City), Egypt, in January 2026.
Hyderabad: Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated sharply in recent days, with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif describing the situation as “open war.” Afghan forces reportedly launched attacks on Pakistani border posts, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Pakistan on targets inside Afghanistan, including areas in and around Kabul and Kandahar.The clashes, which intensified on February 27–28, have led to reports of cross-border fighting and heightened security concerns in the region.
Amid this backdrop, a nighttime video showing flames engulfing buildings along a hillside began circulating on social media, with users claiming it depicts Islamabad under attack.
An X user shared the clip with the caption: “Attack on Islamabad. Islamabad is burning, this war is not going to stop. Pakistan has made a very big mistake.”(Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The viral video does not show Islamabad or any incident linked to the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict. It is unrelated footage from a fire in Egypt.A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video found the same footage in a report published by Lovin Cairo on January 29, 2026, titled “‘No Deaths or Injuries Reported Yet’ A Fire Broke Out in Zarayeb Area of Mansheyet Nasser.” The video uploaded by Lovin Cairo’s verified Instagram handle was embedded in the article.
We also found the same video embedded in the report shared as an Instagram reel on January 29 by the verified account of Lovin Cairo. The reel features the viral footage and additionally shows daytime visuals of rescue and firefighting operations at the site.
We also found additional social media posts reporting the same incident. One such post was shared by an Instagram handle named El-Shai – الشاي, which describes itself in its bio as Egypt’s lifestyle and entertainment online magazine and platform. The account has over 105,000 followers.
The post featured the same visuals as the viral clip, albeit from a slightly different angle, and also showed rescue operations underway at the site.
According to the post, a major fire broke out in Mokattam’s Zaraaib area of Mansheyet Nasser, sending thick smoke across the neighbourhood and causing alarm among residents. The blaze reportedly started in one residential building before spreading to three nearby homes. Civil Defence forces brought the fire under control, while Egyptian Red Crescent teams provided first aid to individuals affected by smoke inhalation.
The viral video does not show Islamabad during the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict. It is an older clip from a fire in Cairo’s Mansheyet Nasser recorded in January 2026.
Therefore, the claim is false.
