Fake news alert: Government fact checks ‘Pakistani propaganda’ on Operation Sindoor | India News
NEW DELHI: The central government has fact checked several Pakistani news on Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian Armed Forces in an effort to counter terrorism after the Pahalgam attack.The Press Information Bureau‘s fact check unit cautioned against “dubious content” being circulated on social media and termed it “Pakistan sponsored propaganda”.“In the coming days your social media will be flooded with Pakistan sponsored propaganda.It’s crucial to scrutinize every piece of information carefully,” it said in a post.It has also asked the citizens to share such information related to the Indian Armed Forces or Operation Sindoor.“If you encounter dubious content, especially concerning the Indian Armed Forces or any info related to ongoing situation, report it to #PIBFactCheck. WhatsApp: +91 8799711259; Email: socialmedia@pib.gov.in,” it said.Here’s a list of news it has debunked:
Pakistan has not shot down any Indian Rafale
The claims and images of Indian Rafale jet being shot down near Bahawalpur is false. PIB clarified that the image was from an “earlier incident involving an IAF MiG-21 fighter jet that crashed in Moga district in Punjab in 2021.”Additionally, another video with the claim that an IAF fighter jet has been shot down is also fake. “The video is from an earlier incident from 2019, involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 V5 helicopter that crashed near Budgam, J&K,” it said.“Pakistani social media accounts are recycling an old video and sharing it in the present context,” PIB noted.Additionally, another old image of a jet crash from 2024 was being shared in the current context of Operation Sindoor.“The image is from an earlier incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet that crashed in Barmer, Rajasthan, in September 2024,” PIB clarified.Another old video of 2025 fighter jet crash was being shared with the claim that Pakistan had shot down IAF during Operation Sindoor. “The video being shared is from February 2025 and depicts the crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 aircraft near Shivpuri, Gwalior, which occurred during a routine training mission,” it said.
Pakistan Airforce has not targeted Srinagar airbase
PIB noted that a video was being circulated by some “pro-Pakistan accounts” falsely claiming that the Pakistan Air Force targeted Srinagar Airbase. The footage, however, is of Pakistan itself and not of India. “In a video shared by several pro-Pakistan handles, it is being falsely claimed that the Pakistan Airforce has targeted Srinagar airbase. The video shared is old and NOT from India. The video is from sectarian clashes that took place in the year 2024, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan,” it said.
Pakistan has not destroyed Indian Brigade Headquarters.
Several social media claimed that Pakistan destroyed Indian Brigade Headquarters during the ongoing Operation Sindoor.“Please avoid sharing unverified information and rely only on official sources from the Government of India for accurate information,” it said.
Old video of Pakistan Army raising White Flag at LoC shared with false claims
An old video from September 2019 showing the Pakistan Army raising a white flag at the LoC was being circulated on social media. The footage, originally, is of Pakistani soldiers using a white flag to retrieve the bodies of their fallen personnel following a failed infiltration attempt.However, several Pakistani social media handles were sharing it with a misleading narrative, falsely claiming that it shows Indian Army troops waving white flags to recover the bodies of their own soldiers. This claim is entirely baseless and an attempt to distort the facts, PIB said.“An old video from September 2019 of the #Pakistan Army raising white flag at LOC to recover bodies of its dead soldiers is being shared by Pakistani handles with the false claim that it is #IndianArmy waving white flags at LOC to retrieve bodies of its soldiers,” it said.
Fake letter attributed to DRDO regarding failure of BrahMos missile
A letter attributed to DRDO was being circulated on social media regarding failure of BrahMos missile. PIB noted that no such letter has been issued by the defence organisation. “A letter undersigned by scientist AS Kumar from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is being circulated online alleging a failure in BrahMos missile components,” PIB said.“There is no scientist named AS Kumar at the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE),” it added.
