Fact Check | Fake News Floods Social Media Amid India-Pakistan Conflict Post Operation Sindoor

Claim: Multiple videos and images circulating on social media platforms claim to show real-time attacks, strikes, and casualties during the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict following India’s Operation Sindoor.

Conclusion: False. Most of the viral content is either old, unrelated, or digitally altered. No official confirmation exists for the majority of these claims. The Indian government and PIB Fact Check have debunked numerous viral posts.

What’s Being Circulated?

Since India conducted Operation Sindoor—a targeted strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan on May 8, 2025—there has been a surge in disinformation across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp. Pakistani and some Bangladesh-based handles have been actively circulating fake images, old videos, and manipulated reports. Let’s break them down.

Misinformation Trends and PIB Debunks

🔴 Fake Location Advisory

• Claim: A viral image claims the Indian government has asked citizens to turn off location services to avoid missile targeting.
• Fact: False. No such advisory has been issued. The image is fabricated.

🔴 Missile Attack on India

• Claim: Pakistan launched a missile strike on India, with a video showing a massive explosion.
• Fact: The video is from the Beirut explosion in Lebanon, 2020. It has no connection to the current conflict.

🔴 Drone Strike in Jalandhar

• Claim: A drone strike occurred in Jalandhar, Punjab.
• Fact: The video shows a farm fire, not a drone strike. Verified by local authorities.

🔴 Strike on Amritsar Military Base

• Claim: Pakistani forces targeted an Indian military base in Amritsar.
• Fact: Old video. It is from Indonesia (May 6, 2025) and unrelated to India-Pakistan tensions.

🔴 Pakistan Intercepts Indian UAV

• Claim: A viral photo shows the Pakistan Army intercepting an Indian drone.
• Fact: False. The image is from the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.

🔴 Budgam Helicopter Crash

• Claim: A video of an IAF helicopter crash is being linked to current tensions.
• Fact: The video is from Budgam, 2019—a known incident during heightened post-Balakot tensions.

🔴 Attack on Hazira Port, Gujarat

• Claim: Viral video claims Pakistan attacked Hazira Port.
• Fact: The video is from July 2021, depicting an oil tanker explosion.

🔴 Fidayeen Attack in Rajouri

• Claim: A suicide attack occurred on an Indian Army brigade in Rajouri.
• Fact: False. No such incident occurred. The video is misrepresented.

🔴 Fake Army Letter

• Claim: A confidential letter from “Army Chief VK Narayan” claims military unpreparedness.
• Fact: Fabricated. There is no such Army Chief. The letter is fake and digitally manipulated.

🔴 Ambala Airbase Attack on Amritsar

• Claim: India bombed its own citizens using Ambala Airbase.
• Fact: Completely false and baseless. Denied by India’s Ministry of Defence with a press release.

🔴 Fake Airport Entry Ban

• Claim: India has banned civilian entry into airports nationwide.
• Fact: False. No such government decision has been made.

🔴 S-400 Missile System Hit

• Claim: A Pakistani missile struck an Indian S-400 system.
• Fact: The image is from a military site fire in Moscow (2023).

🔴 Attack on Jammu AFB

• Claim: Video shows multiple explosions at the Jammu Air Force Base.
• Fact: The image is from Kabul Airport, 2021.

🔴 Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project Attack

• Claim: India targeted the Neelum-Jhelum project in Pakistan.
• Fact: Denied by Indian authorities. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified India only hit terrorist camps.

🔴 ’20 Raj Battalion’ Video

• Claim: A video claims a Pakistani unit destroyed India’s ‘20 Raj Battalion’.
• Fact: Staged and fake. No such unit exists in the Indian Army.

🔴 Video Game Footage as Real Attack

• Claim: A video showing heavy rocket fire is portrayed as a Pakistani attack.
• Fact: From a video game, online since 2021.

🔴 NSA Ajit Doval’s Fake Account

• Claim: A Facebook post from an account impersonating India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
• Fact: Fake. Ajit Doval has no official Facebook account.

🔴 China Daily Fake Crash Report

• Claim: China Daily reports three Indian jets crashed in Kashmir.
• Fact: Image used is from 2019. No recent crash has been reported.

Conclusion

The ongoing India-Pakistan conflict has been accompanied by a parallel war of misinformation. Pakistan-based handles are pushing recycled, doctored, and false content to influence narratives and stir panic. The Government of India, PIB Fact Check, and the Defence Ministry have urged citizens to verify all information through official channels.

Verdict: Multiple claims debunked. Fake news flood exposed. Exercise caution.

What Should You Do?

• Don’t forward unverified videos or messages.
• Cross-check with reliable sources like PIB Fact Check, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence, and trusted news portals.
• Report suspicious content on social media.