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Fact check: Govt debunks false claims, advises people to verify information
Swati Gandhi New Delhi
The Centre has launched a coordinated effort to counter a wave of misinformation, largely originating from Pakistani media and social media handles. On Saturday, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) dismissed several more fake claims, including the capture of a female Indian Air Force pilot.
This comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, a series of coordinated missile strikes by the Indian armed forces on terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, were in retaliation for the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people at Baisaran Valley.
The government stated that most of the misinformation has been surfacing from Pakistani social media accounts. Taking to X, PIB shared several posts debunking these fake claims.
Contrary to viral social media posts, the government clarified that Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh has not been captured by Pakistan.
Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured???? Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. #PIBFactCheck ❌ This claim is FAKE! #IndiaFightsPropaganda @MIB_India … pic.twitter.com/V8zovpSRYk
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
2. Indian pilot ejected over PoK
Social media claimed that an Indian pilot ejected from a fighter jet over PoK. The government termed this fake news and urged citizens to verify before sharing.
???? Indian Pilot Ejected Over PoK? Here's the Truth! Posts on social media claim that an Indian pilot ejected from a fighter jet over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) #PIBFactCheck ❌ This claim is FAKE ???? Don't fall for misinformation. Always verify before sharing… https://t.co/BF8vZpHR1r
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 10, 2025
3. S-400 defence system destroyed by Pakistan
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh called Pakistan's claims of destroying an Indian S-400 system and airfields in Surat and Sirsa baseless. She said these were part of a 'continued malicious misinformation campaign'.
???? S-400 Destroyed by Pakistan? Here's the Truth! Posts circulating on social media claim that Pakistan has destroyed an Indian S-400 air defence system. #PIBFactCheck ❌ This claim is FAKE. ❌ Reports of destruction or any damage to an S-400 system are baseless.… pic.twitter.com/wPLKQSBAqe
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
4. Three IAF jets crash in the Himalayas
Claims that three Indian Air Force jets crashed in the Himalayas were also debunked. PIB stated the image used in these claims dates back to 2016.
????Did 3 IAF Jets Crash in Himalayas❓???? Several pro-Pakistan social media accounts are falsely claiming that three fighter jets have crashed in different areas of the Himalayan region #PIBFactcheck - This claim is #FAKE - The image being circulated is old, dating back to… https://t.co/pNU6qqdMgR
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 10, 2025
5. 70 per cent of India's electricity grid disabled after cyberattack
Several social media posts falsely claimed that a cyberattack had disabled 70 per cent of India's electricity grid. The government categorically dismissed this as fake.
???? Attention: False Claim Circulating Online! ???? Social media posts are asserting that a cyber attack by #Pakistan has caused 70% of India's electricity grid to become dysfunctional #PIBFactCheck ❌This claim is #FAKE #IndiaFightsPropaganda https://t.co/ZiojLHE0W2
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 10, 2025
6. Delhi–Mumbai airline route temporarily closed
While there were reports about the closure of services on the Delhi–Mumbai air route, PIB clarified that 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes in Delhi and Mumbai FIRs were temporarily closed for operational reasons, not the entire route.
It is being claimed that there is a temporary closure of services on Delhi-Mumbai airline route. #PIBFactCheck ❌This claim is #FAKE????The Airports Authority of India has extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi &… https://t.co/8QhtFpzP73
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 10, 2025
7. Missile attack on Delhi airport
A video falsely depicting a missile attack on Delhi airport was found to be from a gas station explosion in Aden, Yemen (August 2024).
???? Missile Attack on Delhi Airport❓ An old video is being falsely shared as footage of a missile strike on New Delhi Airport! ❌ This video shows a gas station explosion in Aden, Yemen, from August 2024 ✅ It has no connection to the current India–Pakistan situation… https://t.co/yDQo1pCQK1
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 10, 2025
8. Bhatinda airfield destroyed
Claims about the destruction of Bhatinda airfield were also found to be false. The government confirmed the base is fully operational and undamaged.
???? 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… https://t.co/HJ0oOygZyu
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 10, 2025
9. Nagrota air base attacked
A digitally altered video being circulated as footage of a Pakistani strike on the Nagrota Air Base was identified to be from October 2024, originally posted on Instagram.
Heard of attack on Nagrota Air Base❓BEWARE‼️ An old and digitally altered video is being falsely circulated as footage of a Pakistani attack on the Nagrota Air Base ✅ This video was originally posted on Instagram in October 2024 ???? Watch: https://t.co/zTxwVb0O5a???? Stay… https://t.co/9sLGnAsziH
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 10, 2025
The government has reiterated its appeal to the public and media to verify any sensitive information through official channels and avoid sharing unverified content that may compromise national security or create panic.
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