India has categorically denied a series of false claims and propaganda being circulated by Pakistani social media handles in the wake of its recent precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
One of the most widely shared falsehoods alleges that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet was shot down over Muzaffarabad and that an Indian pilot had been captured. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit dismissed the claim, clarifying that the image accompanying the rumour dates back to October 14, 2014, and depicts a crash near Undre Vasti, Kulwadi village, along the Pune–Ahmednagar highway in Maharashtra.
“Fake News Alert: Pakistani social media handles are claiming a Sukhoi Su-30MKI has been shot down, capturing an Indian pilot. #PIBFactCheck: The image is from a 2014 crash in Maharashtra, unrelated to the current situation,” the PIB posted on its official X account, along with the original news report and image from 2014.
In another widely circulated post, a video purportedly showing a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) barrage by Pakistan on Indian territory was also flagged as fake. PIB confirmed that the clip was taken from a video game and has been circulating online for over three years. “Pakistan Propaganda Alert! A video showing a heavy MLRS barrage is being falsely shared as a Pakistani attack on India. #PIBFactCheck: The video is from a video game and unrelated to any real-life event,” the post read.
A separate viral WhatsApp message falsely claimed that ATMs across the country would be shut down for two to three days. PIB labelled this as completely false, stating that ATMs are operating normally and urging citizens not to forward unverified messages.
Another piece of disinformation included an image claiming to show an explosion at the Jammu Air Force base. Upon verification, the image was traced back to the Kabul airport blast from August 2021. “Explosion at Jammu Air Force Base? An old image is being circulated with false claims. #PIBFactCheck: The image is from the Kabul Airport blast, August 2021,” PIB clarified.
Similarly, a video claiming that Pakistan had attacked Hazira Port in Gujarat was found to be unrelated. It showed an oil tanker explosion that occurred on July 7, 2021. A separate video, falsely described as footage of a drone strike in Jalandhar, was also debunked; the clip actually showed a farm fire and bore no connection to any recent military activity.
The PIB reiterated that these fabricated videos, images, and messages are part of a deliberate misinformation campaign being driven by Pakistani influencers, media platforms, and state-linked accounts in response to India’s cross-border counter-terror operations.
Citizens have been advised to verify information before sharing, ignore rumours circulating on social media and messaging platforms, and rely only on trusted and official sources for updates.
(With ANI inputs)
