Operation Sindoor: Govt fact checks misleading image on location services advisory, calls it 'fake'

Tensions have mounted between India and Pakistan. (File photo/Reuters)

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has fact checked a barrage of disinformation and fake social media posts that are being circulated by certain social media handles.

Fact checking one such viral image claiming that an advisory has been issued, advising people to turn off location services on their phones immediately, the government called it "fake".

India has been swiftly debunking viral claims with visual evidence and source tracing with a dedicated team. Their timely intervention have helped:

- Clarifying origins of misleading videos

- Confirming real dates and context of recycled images

- Publicly counter false narratives with verifiable data

The fact-check unit debunked the following videos and messages spreading misinformation while providing evidence to refute false claims —

1. Alerting netizens about an old video, PIB stated, "In an old video, it is being claimed that Indian soldiers are crying and abandoning their posts as the India-Pakistan war intensifies." PIB clarified that the video was not related to the Indian Army.

Old Video Alert!

In an old video, it is being claimed that Indian soldiers are crying and abandoning their posts as the India-Pakistan war intensifies#PIBFactCheck This video was posted on Instagram on April 27 and is NOT related to the Indian Army! pic.twitter.com/wy6EzBUnab PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

The video depicts students from a private defense coaching institute celebrating their selection into the Indian Army. The youth in the video reportedly became emotional with joy upon receiving news of their successful recruitment.

2. In another fact check post, PIB claimed that a viral image claiming that an advisory has been issued, advising people to turn off location services on their phones immediately, is fake. No such advisory has been issued by the Government of India (GoI), PIB stated.

A viral image is claiming that an advisory has been issued, advising people to turn off location services on their phones immediately.#PIBFactCheck- This claim is FAKE- No such advisory has been issued by the GoI pic.twitter.com/8GmYpKXTkJ PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

3. Al Jazeera has claimed that there have been about 10 explosions around Srinagar airport in J&K. PIB stated that this claim is "fake". "Rely only on official sources for authentic information. Do not fall for these false claims intended to #mislead and cause confusion," it further stated.

.@AJEnglish has claimed that there have been about 10 explosions around #Srinagar airport in J&K.

#PIBFactCheckThis claim is #FakeRely only on official sources for authentic information. Do not fall for these false claims intended to #mislead and cause confusion. pic.twitter.com/vRiiJfUmJg PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

4. Posts claiming that explosions were heard at #Jaipur Airport were also circulated. These claims are FAKE, stated the PIB.

Jaipur Airport is Safe Claims are circulating that explosions were heard at #Jaipur Airport.#PIBFactCheck These claims are FAKE Here is the clarification from the District Collector & Magistrate, Jaipurhttps://t.co/qqbbFgGZ7xpic.twitter.com/rijeLipwhY PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

5. A social media post falsely claimed that an Indian post has been destroyed. PIB clarified that This video is #old and NOT related to any activity post #OperationSindoor.

Propaganda Alert!Social Media post falsely claims that an Indian post has been destroyed. #PIBFactCheck The claim is #FakeThis video is #old and NOT related to any activity post #OperationSindoorThe video was originally uploaded on YouTube on 15 Nov 2020 pic.twitter.com/w4oSpwM32A

PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

"The claim is #Fake", PIB stated.

6. Issuing a clarification on posts being artificially spread, claiming that the "Bhatinda Airfield has been DESTROYED!", the PIB stated, "Fake alert! The Bathinda Airfield is FULLY OPERATIONAL and there is NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER."

VIRAL CLAIM ABOUT BATHINDA ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Posts are being artificially spread, claiming that the Bhatinda Airfield has been DESTROYED! #PIBFactCheck FAKE ALERT! The Bathinda Airfield is FULLY OPERATIONAL and there is NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER.Don't fall for pic.twitter.com/ihjkvyRbtH PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025

Don't fall for misinformation. Stay informed, stay alert, PIB added.

7. In a video shared by several pro-Pakistan handles, it was being falsely claimed that the Pakistan Airforce has targeted Srinagar airbase. In reality, this footage was traced back to sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, that occurred in early 2024. The video had no connection to Kashmir or any recent airstrike.

In a video shared by several pro-Pakistan handles, it is being falsely claimed that the Pakistan Airforce has targeted Srinagar airbase#PIBFactCheck The video shared is old and NOT from India.The video is from sectarian clashes that took place in the year 2024, in pic.twitter.com/vPmMq4IWdE

PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 7, 2025