FACT CHECK: Govt Urges Public to Report Fake News to PIB Amid Surge in Pro-Pakistan Propaganda

Summary:
Amid rising tensions with Pakistan, the Indian government has urged citizens to be cautious of misinformation and report fake content, especially concerning national security. Several viral posts—including combat game clips, old videos, and AI-generated footage—have been debunked by PIB Fact Check.

The Claim:

Amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, a wave of fake news is flooding social media platforms. From fabricated videos of missile strikes and airbase attacks to AI-generated clips of ministers and misattributed images of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots, these posts aim to mislead the public and stir panic.

Fact-Check Analysis:

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit on May 10, 2025, issued a public alert against a series of false and misleading social media claims being spread by pro-Pakistan accounts. Here’s a breakdown of the key misinformation:

1. Combat Game Clips as War Footage

Several digital combat gaming videos were falsely circulated as real footage from the India-Pakistan conflict. PIB confirmed these are not authentic recordings and warned viewers to scrutinize such content.

2. Fake Capture of Female IAF Pilot

Posts claimed Squadron Leader Shivani Singh was captured by Pakistani forces. PIB confirmed that this was completely false, and the image used was an old one from June 2023.

3. Drone Strike in Jalandhar

A video claiming a drone attack near Basti Danishmanda in Jalandhar was debunked as fake.

4. AI-Generated Video of EAM Jaishankar

A video circulating on social media showed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar making a controversial statement. PIB confirmed this was AI-generated content, not a real recording.

5. Udhampur Air Base Destroyed? False.

A video aired by “AIK News” claimed Pakistan had destroyed the Udhampur Air Base. PIB revealed the video was actually of a chemical factory fire in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, and had no link to military action.

6. False Claims of Air Base and Airport Attacks

• Nagrota Air Base: An altered video from October 2024 was falsely circulated as evidence of a Pakistani strike.
• Bhatinda Airfield: Claims of destruction were proven false.
• New Delhi Airport: An explosion video actually from a gas station blast in Aden, Yemen (August 2024), was wrongly attributed to a missile strike.

7. IAF Jet Ejection and S-400 System Attack

PIB debunked viral posts about an IAF pilot ejecting over Pakistan-occupied J&K, and Pakistan destroying India’s S-400 system—both entirely false.

8. Claim of Cyberattack on India’s Power Grid

A widely circulated claim said 70% of India’s power grid was knocked out by a Pakistani cyberattack. PIB confirmed no such attack occurred, and the claim is baseless.

Govt Advisory: How to Report Misinformation

The Government of India has urged citizens to verify sensitive information before forwarding or reacting to it. If you encounter dubious content, especially involving the Indian Armed Forces, airbases, or government statements, report it to PIB Fact Check:

• WhatsApp: +91 8799711259
• Email: factcheck@pib.gov.in

Conclusion:

With misinformation campaigns becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially during international tensions, the public must remain vigilant. Many viral videos and images regarding the India-Pakistan conflict are fake, digitally altered, or taken out of context. Always cross-check information with official sources like PIB Fact Check and Factcheck India before sharing.

Verdict: Multiple viral posts claiming attacks, pilot captures, cyber warfare, and military defeats are false and misleading.