Fact-check: Debunking Pakistan’s 21 big lies about India and Operation Sindoor

A string of misinformation and false claims has flooded social media as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate.

While official updates continue to come in from Jammu & Kashmir, the Line of Control, and areas affected by Pakistan’s shelling and attacks in Punjab, Jammu and Rajasthan, a large amount of fake news is also being shared online.

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The Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking team, PIB Fact Check, has stepped in to identify and verify misleading content being circulated across social and mainstream platforms.

According to PIB, the disinformation campaign is part of a psychological tactic, and social media users are at risk of being misled.

The government has advised the public to rely only on official notices, helpline numbers, and confirmed relief updates. People have also been asked not to forward unverified posts or details about troop movements, as false claims continue to flood social media.

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In this story, we spotlight and explain some of the claims circulating online that have been debunked by PIB, while also providing evidence.

Let’s take a look:

1. Fact Check: China Daily report on crash of 3 Indian jets in Kashmir

A report by China Daily claimed that three Indian jets crashed in Kashmir.

But the PIB’s fact-checking team looked into the claim and clarified that the image used was from a past incident in 2019.

A news report by @ChinaDaily falsely claims that at least three Indian jets crashed in Kashmir.#PIBFactCheck

✅ The image is from an earlier incident from 2019.

🔗Here is a news report from 2019: https://t.co/0BeLRorOvF

🔴 This is part of a coordinated propaganda campaign… pic.twitter.com/E1OQaDYkHV

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

To support this, PIB shared a link to a 2019 post by Al Jazeera on ‘X’ that carried the same image.

2. Fact Check: Is NSA Ajit Doval on Facebook?

A post is doing the rounds online claiming to be a “statement” from National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, suggesting “Pakistan is preparing for a cyber attack.”

PIB Fact Check has flagged the post as fake and said the account is not genuine. It added that Ajit Doval does not have an official presence on Facebook.

Is NSA Ajit Doval on Facebook⁉️#PIBFactCheck

🛑 This Facebook account is FAKE

✅ The National Security Advisor does NOT have an official Facebook account.

✅Citizens are advised to exercise caution and not engage with any impostor or fake profiles claiming to represent… pic.twitter.com/N6WNw4f4H5

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

“Citizens are advised to exercise caution and not engage with any impostor or fake profiles claiming to represent them,” the agency stated.

3. Fact Check: Was an Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI shot down in PoK’s Muzaffarabad?

Some Pakistani social media accounts have posted that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Muzaffarabad, and that the pilot was captured.

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

PIB has denied this claim and said the image being shared is actually from a crash that took place on October 14, 2014, in Undre Vasti of Kulwadi village, located along the Pune–Ahmednagar highway in Maharashtra.

A news article using the same image was also shared to clarify.

4. Fact Check: Claims regarding MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) barrage by Pakistan on India

A video clip showing a heavy barrage from Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) is being falsely claimed as footage of a Pakistani strike on India, the agency said.

PIB has confirmed that the clip is from a video game and has been available online for over three years.

🚨 Pakistan Propaganda Alert!

A video showing a heavy MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) barrage is being falsely shared as a real Pakistani attack on India.#PIBFactCheck

✅ The video is from a video game and has been online for over 3 years.

✅ It has no connection to… pic.twitter.com/VXAE93YfXs

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

It has nothing to do with the present India-Pakistan situation.

The agency also posted a link to the video game for reference.

5. Fact Check: Are ATMs shutting down for 2-3 days?

A message going viral on WhatsApp says ATMs will shut for two to three days due to a “cyber-attack by Pakistan.”

The government’s fact-checking team has dismissed this message as false.

Are ATMs closed⁉️

A viral #WhatsApp message claims ATMs will be closed for 2–3 days.

🛑 This Message is FAKE

✅ ATMs will continue to operate as usual

❌ Don't share unverified messages.#IndiaFightsPropaganda pic.twitter.com/BXfzjjFpzD

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

PIB Fact Check said all banking services are running as usual and asked people not to spread messages that are not verified.

6. Fact Check: Explosion at Jammu Air Force Base?

Photos being shared online claimed to show several blasts at the Jammu Air Force Base.

PIB Fact Check reviewed the images and confirmed that they were not recent. They are actually from the Kabul Airport explosion in August 2021.

❓Explosion at Jammu Air Force Base? Here's the truth!

An old image is being circulated with false claims of multiple explosions at the Jammu Air Force Base in India.#PIBFactCheck

✅ This image is from the Kabul Airport blast in August 2021.

✅ Here’s a report from that… pic.twitter.com/y99zbukBGM

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

A link to a news article on the Kabul blast was also shared by the agency.

7. Fact Check: Was Gujarat’s Hazira Port attacked by Pakistan?

A video being circulated on social media claimed that Pakistan attacked Hazira Port in Gujarat.

PIB Fact Check has dismissed the claim and explained that the video shows a different incident.  It features an oil tanker explosion from July 7, 2021.

This video is widely circulating on social media with a claim that Hazira Port in #Gujarat has been attacked #PIBFactCheck

* This is an unrelated video confirmed to depict an oil tanker explosion. The video is dated July 7, 2021.

* Do not share this video. Refer the link… pic.twitter.com/nlQwgVAj3k

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

The actual video is from Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, and the agency shared a news link confirming the same.

8. Fact Check: Drone strike in Punjab’s Jalandhar?

A video going viral online claimed to be of a drone attack in Jalandhar.

But PIB Fact Check clarified that it is not related to any drone activity. The clip actually shows a fire on a farm.

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

The agency also added that the time on the video shows 7:39 PM, which was before the drone attack began on May 8.

9. Fact Check: Pakistani handles claim Indian Army post was destroyed

Several social media accounts from Pakistan claimed that the Pakistani Army had destroyed an Indian post.

PIB Fact Check looked into the matter and said the video used in the post is fake. There is no unit in the Indian Army called the “20 Raj Battalion.”

🚨 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

“This is part of a coordinated propaganda campaign aimed at creating panic and misleading the public,” the agency said.

10. Fact Check: Did Pakistan fire missiles at India?

A video shared online claimed that Pakistan launched a missile strike on India in retaliation.

PIB Fact Check said the video has nothing to do with India. It is from the 2020 explosion that happened in Beirut, Lebanon.

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

✅ 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

To confirm, the agency also shared a video link from four years ago showing the same blast.

11. Fact Check: Are airports across India banned?

A claim spreading on social media says people are no longer allowed to enter airports across the country.

PIB Fact Check said this is not true. The government has not placed any such restriction.

🛑 Fake News Alert

Social 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

The claim is false.

12. Fact Check: Claims regarding ‘Fidayeen’ attack on Army brigade in Rajouri

Posts circulating on social media claimed that a ‘fidayeen’ attack took place on an Army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir.

However, PIB Fact Check looked into the claim and confirmed that no such suicide attack happened at any army cantonment.

🚨 #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

It said the claim was a deliberate attempt to spread confusion and mislead people.

13. Fact Check: Chief of the Army Staff’s ‘letter’ on military readiness

A letter doing the rounds on social media claimed that “Chief of the Army Staff Gen V.K. Narayan” had sent a confidential letter about military readiness to an officer in the Northern Command.

PIB Fact Check verified the post and said that General Narayan is not the current Chief of the Army Staff. The letter is entirely fake.

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

“Rely only on official sources from the Government of India for accurate information,” the agency advised.

14. Fact Check: Claims about Indian military using Ambala Airbase to attack Amritsar

Social media posts claimed that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack Amritsar city and Indian citizens.

PIB Fact Check clarified that these claims are entirely baseless and part of a larger misinformation effort.

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

The agency also issued a detailed press release from the Ministry of Defence to provide clarity.

15. Fact Check: Did India target Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project in Pakistan?

A social media post spread a claim that India had targeted the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project in Pakistan.

Social Media post falsely claims India targeted the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project in #Pakistan. #PIBFactCheck

✅ This claim is baseless.

✅ Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has clearly stated in a press conference that India has only targeted terrorist infrastructure.… pic.twitter.com/6GMVoLMIS4

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

However, PIB Fact Check confirmed that the claim is unfounded. It also pointed out that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had clarified in a press conference that India only targeted terrorist infrastructure.

16. Fact Check: Did a Pakistani missile hit India’s S-400 air defence system?

Several social media accounts in Pakistan shared images claiming a Pakistani missile had struck India’s S-400 air defence system, “Sudarshan Chakra.”

PIB Fact Check clarified that the image circulating is from 2023 and shows a fire at a military site in Moscow.

⚠️Pakistan Propaganda Alert

Several Pakistan-based handles are circulating an #old image that claims that a Pakistani missile has hit an Indian S-400#PIBFactCheck

✔️The image being shared is from 2023, of a fire at a military site in Moscow

🔗https://t.co/kcgY8vtCia pic.twitter.com/Pmo7U9KXJr

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

The agency provided a link to the image from the incident that occurred two years ago.

17. Fact Check: Did Pakistan Army strike posts in Jammu & Kashmir’s Battal Sector?

A video shared by Pakistan-based accounts claimed that the Pakistan Army had attacked posts in the Battal Sector of Jammu & Kashmir, killing at least 12 Indian soldiers.

Pakistan-based handles are circulating a video claiming that the Pakistan Army strikes posts in Battal Sector, Jammu & Kashmir, eliminating at least 12 Indian soldiers.#PIBFactCheck

✅This video is old and NOT related to any activity post #OperationSindoor

✅This image is… pic.twitter.com/n4mWxr21jw

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

PIB Fact Check confirmed that the video was old and unrelated to any activities after ‘Operation Sindoor’. The image is from August 2011 and was also used in a 2016 news report.

18. Fact Check: Did Pakistan attack an Indian military colony?

A video circulating on social media claimed that a Pakistani attack had targeted an Indian military colony.

⚠️ Don’t Fall for Misinformation!

An old video is being shared to show a Pakistani attack on an Indian military colony.#PIBFactCheck

❌ This video is from Indonesia, dated 6th May 2025, and was recorded before #OperationSindoor was even launched.

🔍 Stay informed. Share… pic.twitter.com/ijE8Dymp02

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

PIB Fact Check debunked this, clarifying that the video was actually from Indonesia, dated May 6, 2025, and was filmed before Operation Sindoor.

19. Fact Check: Did Pakistan shoot down Indian Rafale jets?

Pakistani social media accounts shared visuals, claiming the video showed Pakistan shooting down Indian Rafale jets.

Viral Video Alert! Truth Behind the Aircraft Crash Linked to #OperationSindoor!

Pakistani social media accounts are recycling an old video and sharing it in the present context.#PIBFactCheck

✅ The video is from an earlier incident from 2019, involving an Indian Air Force… pic.twitter.com/md42wWpxO2

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

PIB Fact Check revealed that the video was from 2019 and involved an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 V5 helicopter that crashed near Budgam, J&K.

20. Fact Check: Did Pakistan intercept an Indian drone in Gujranwala?

Pakistan-based accounts circulated images claiming that the Pakistan Army intercepted an Indian UAV drone that fell in Gujranwala.

PIB Fact Check clarified that the images were from the Ukraine-Russia conflict in 2022.

Did this Indian drone really get intercepted in Pakistan❓

Pakistan-based handles are sharing an old image claiming that the Pakistan Army has intercepted a UAV drone that fell in Gujranwala, Pakistan.#PIBFactCheck

✅ The image being circulated is from the Ukraine-Russia… pic.twitter.com/XdY1D9ZmuQ

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

It also shared a link to a news report confirming this information.

21. Fact Check: Did Pakistan carry out strikes on a military base in Amritsar?

Pakistan-based accounts shared videos alleging that Pakistan had struck a military base in Amritsar.

However, PIB Fact Check debunked the claim, stating that the video was from 2024.

⚠️Pakistan Propaganda Alert!

Pakistan-based handles are spreading old videos falsely alleging strikes on a military base in Amritsar. #PIBFactCheck

✔️The video being shared is from a wildfire from 2024

✅ Avoid sharing unverified information and rely only on official… pic.twitter.com/1FdtfXUqEY

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

The agency urged people to avoid sharing unverified information and to rely only on official sources from the Government of India for accurate updates.