Operation Sindoor: Fact checking fake news, disinformation being circulated by Pakistan

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The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has fact checked a barrage of disinformation and fake social media posts that are being released by certain sections of Pakistani media and handles. PIB stated on Friday that social media users have been falling for the disinformation being shared online. Between 10:00 PM on Thursday, and 6:30 AM on Friday, PIB's fact-check unit debunked seven videos circulating on social media designed to spread disinformation among Indian citizens.

As per PIB, the psychological warfare campaign is being countered as social media users are at risk of falling victim to the disinformation effort. The fact-check unit debunked these videos and messages spreading misinformation while providing evidence to refute false claims —

1) The first is a widely shared video of a fake drone attack on Jalandhar that has been disseminated to create panic among people. PIB fact-check revealed that it was actually an unrelated video footage of a farm fire. The video was shared at 7.39PM, whereas the drone attack happened later. The same finding was confirmed by Jalandhar's Deputy Commissioner.

Drone Attack in Jalandhar

This drone strike video from #Jalandhar is widely circulating on social media#PIBFactCheck* This is an unrelated video of a farm fire. The video has the time 7:39 PM, while the drone attack began later.* Do not share this video. See the pic.twitter.com/IRBjq2KOTQ PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

2) Another fake video claiming that Pakistani forces had destroyed an Indian military post had been shared by several fake and unverified accounts. PIB found that it was a false claim, noting that the video mentions a "20 Raj Battalion" — a unit that doesn't even exist in the Indian Army. It described the video as part of a coordinated propaganda campaign.

Staged Video Alert Fake video is being circulated by Pakistani handles alleging that an Indian Post was destroyed by the #Pakistani Army #PIBFactCheck: The claim is completely false, and the video is staged There is no unit called 20 Raj Battalion" in the pic.twitter.com/959rc9OrTH PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

3) An old video was being circulated on social media with claims that Pakistan had launched a missile strike against India. The PIB fact-checkers identified that the footage was completely unrelated to current India-Pakistan situation, and belonged to the 2020 Beirut explosion in Lebanon.

An #old video is being shared on #SocialMedia with the claim that #Pakistan has launched a missile attack on India in retaliation. #PIBFactCheck

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The video being shared is of the explosive attack that took place in Beirut, Lebanon in the year 2020 Don't fall for the pic.twitter.com/G8nIIdn6FG PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

4) Another false news regarding a supposed fidayeen attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir was also widely shared on Thursday. The PIB fact-checked to find that no such suicide attack incident had taken place on any army cantonment. It termed the claim as a deliberate attempt to cause confusion and mislead.

#Fake_news is circulating about a "fidayeen" attack on an Army brigade in #Rajouri, #Jammu and #Kashmir.#PIBFactCheck: No such #fidayeen or suicide attack has occurred on any army cantt. Do not fall for these false claims intended to #mislead and cause confusion. pic.twitter.com/x8Az5tigUO PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

5) A fabricated confidential letter allegedly from Chief of Army Staff General VK Narayan to the Army officer of Northern Command regarding military preparedness also made the rounds on social media. The PIB report pointed out that General Narayan is not the CoAS, confirming the letter was completely fraudulent.

A letter is being shared on Social Media claiming that Chief of the Army Staff Gen V.K. Narayan has sent a confidential letter regarding military preparedness to the Army officer of Northern Command. #PIBFactCheck

This letter is completely Fake. Gen. V.K. Narayan is pic.twitter.com/OvDxaql3kz PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

6) Another social media post falsely claimed that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack Amritsar city and Indian citizens. PIB fact-checked to refuted the baseless allegations calling it a part of a misinformation campaign. PIB also provided a detailed press release from the Ministry of Defence to clear the air.

A social media post falsely claims that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack #Amritsar and its own citizens. #PIBFactCheck: This claim is completely baseless and part of a concerted misinformation campaign.Read more about #Pakistan attack on Amritsar pic.twitter.com/C2NnXPjkgF PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

7) The seventh was regarding a social media post spreading misinformation about ban on entry at airports across India. This was promptly debunked by the PIB, which confirmed that no such announcement had been made by the government.

Fake News AlertSocial media posts are claiming that entry to airports across India banned#PIBFactCheck: This claim is #FAKE Government has taken no such decision pic.twitter.com/MoaUcQqO2d

PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

8) Another fake news regarding closure of ATMs was also debunked by the fact checkers. PIB called the viral message regarding ATMs being closed for 2–3 days as fake, adding that ATMs will continue to operate as usual. It also advised to not share unverified messages.

Are ATMs closedA viral #WhatsApp message claims ATMs will be closed for 23 days. This Message is FAKE ATMs will continue to operate as usual Don't share unverified messages.#IndiaFightsPropagandapic.twitter.com/BXfzjjFpzD PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

9) PIB shared a tweet and said that Pakistani social media handles are claiming that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI was shot down in Muzaffarabad, capturing an Indian Pilot alive. However, this is as far from truth as possible. PIB fact check found that the Sukhoi SU-30MKI of the Indian Air Force (IAF) had crashed at Undre Vasti of Kulwadi village near Pune-Ahamad Nagar highway, Maharashtra, almost 10 years back —on October 14, 2014.

Fake News Alert Pakistani social media handles are claiming that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI was shot down in Muzaffarabad, capturing an Indian Pilot alive.#PIBFactCheck This Sukhoi SU-30MKI of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed at Undre Vasti of Kulwadi village near Pune-Ahamad pic.twitter.com/Fr5GITYQzL

PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025