Recent Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) analysis has clarified that the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) J-10CE fighter jet incident at Sargodha on August 8, 2025, was a hard landing rather than a catastrophic crash, as initially speculated. Despite the dramatic video circulating online, which prompted theories of sabotage, the aircraft sustained structural damage yet remains repairable. This incident reflects the ongoing challenges faced by the PAF in integrating advanced Chinese technology with its legacy systems, particularly against the backdrop of an increasingly capable Indian Air Force (IAF) equipped with advanced systems like the S-400. The situation underscores the vulnerabilities of Pakistan’s air assets amid escalating regional tensions and emphasizes the critical role of OSINT in contemporary military assessments.