ISLAMABAD: Several social media accounts on Tuesday circulated the news that Pakistan has allegedly tested an ICBM or hypersonic missile, citing the unusual and colourful cloud formation over the skies in Balochistan near Quetta.
A user, Clash Report, shared a post on X, claiming that Pakistan has likely conducted an unconfirmed missile test early today, near Harnai, Balochistan.
“Locals spotted spiralling trails and bright plumes. OSINT sources suggest a possible ballistic or hypersonic test,” he wrote, along with sharing photos.
NEW: Pakistan likely conducted an unconfirmed missile test early today, near Harnai, Balochistan.
Locals spotted “spiraling trails and bright plumes”.
OSINT sources suggest a possible ballistic or hypersonic test. pic.twitter.com/Th1wnwK7n5
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 28, 2025
Another post from The Daily CPEC, which garnered 106k views, also wrote that “Pakistan conducted a successful test of a 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
Rare Lenticular Cloud Formation Over Quetta
A lenticular cloud formation was observed in the early morning of Oct 28, 2025, over Koh e Murdaar – eastern range of Quetta city. The cloud appeared before sunrise, persisted for approx. 20 minutes, and dissipated just prior to sunrise pic.twitter.com/ovtvjXM3oy— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 28, 2025
The Pakistan Meteorological Department, in a statement, confirmed that the rare “lenticular cloud formation” was spotted over Quetta in the early hours of Tuesday.
“A lenticular cloud formation was observed in the early morning of Oct 28, 2025, over Koh e Murdaar, the eastern range of Quetta city. The cloud appeared before sunrise, persisted for approximately 20 minutes, and dissipated just before sunrise,” it added.
Citizens shared the photos and videos of the rare cloud phenomenon on social media from many parts of Balochistan.
According to the United Kingdom’s Met Office, lenticular clouds are lens-shaped orographic wave clouds that are formed when the air is stable and winds blow across hills and mountains from the same or similar direction at different heights through the troposphere.
