Fact Check: Pakistan likely conducted hypersonic missile test

QUETTA: Social Media accounts were on a buzz after an unusual, colorful cloud formation was seen over the skies in Balochistan near Quetta.

Many social media accounts circulated the news that Pakistan has allegedly tested an ICBM or hypersonic missile.

A user, The Daily CPEC said in a post on X, “Pakistan conducts a successful test of next-gen hypersonic missile, marking a major leap in strategic defence capability”

Many other social media accounts also hinted that the cloud formation was the result of a missile test or a new military technology.

Fact Check

On the other hand, Meteorological Department spokesperson Anjum Nazir said that ‘A lenticular cloud was observed forming over Koh Mardar, a mountain range in the east of Quetta, at 6:20 am this morning.

This cloud appeared before sunrise and disappeared at 6:45 am, the photos and videos of which have gone viral on social media.’

Anjum Nazir said that these are actually lenticular clouds. Lenticular clouds are stationary, lens-shaped clouds that form in the opposite direction of the mountain wind.

According to the Meteorological Department spokesperson, when stable and moist air passes over them, this air flow creates air waves and the clouds form on the peaks where the air cools to its dew point, while at lower places they evaporate and disappear.

Anjum Nazir further explains that these “standing wave-like” clouds are sometimes mistaken for UFOs (unidentified aerial objects) due to their smooth, flying saucer-like shape.