From Pakistan Poisoning Wells To US Attack: Rumours Circulating During 1971 Indo-Pak War
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A widely shared report claimed Pakistani paratroopers would land in Delhi, Agra, and Amritsar. Though it never happened, panic rose after airbases were bombed on December 3, 1971
During the 1971 war, as India and Pakistan engaged in intense combat, cities across India experienced blackouts and air raid sirens, while citizens stayed glued to their radios. With no access to the internet or television, unofficial reports and unverified updates spread rapidly.
The sources of these reports were often unclear, but many appeared aimed at instilling fear, creating unrest or undermining trust in the government. Some were believed to be part of Pakistani propaganda, while others stemmed from local anxiety or misinformation.
One widely circulated report claimed that Pakistani paratroopers were expected to land in Delhi, Agra and Amritsar. Although such an attack never materialised, panic intensified after Pakistan bombed Indian airbases on December 3, 1971.
However, such claims were refuted by the government through All India Radio and national newspapers. Some false reports also suggested that the Indian Air Force had bombed Rawalpindi and Karachi.
While the Air Force did carry out strikes on Karachi port and certain military installations, there was no major bombing of Rawalpindi. The war officially ended on December 16, 1971 with the surrender of General Niazi in Dhaka.
Another widely circulated claim suggested that Pakistan possessed an 'Islamic bomb" and could launch a nuclear attack on India. In reality, Pakistan did not have nuclear capability at the time; it conducted its first nuclear test in 1998.
There were also concerns that China might open a front along India's northeastern border, reminiscent of the 1962 conflict. In response, the Indian Army heightened vigilance along the Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh borders. However, China refrained from any military action and instead extended verbal support to Pakistan.
Another major claim that caused widespread alarm was that the US Navy's Seventh Fleet was preparing to attack India. While it was true that the United States deployed its Seventh Fleet, including the USS Enterprise, to the Bay of Bengal in support of Pakistan, it did not engage in any action against India.
The presence of the Indian and Soviet navies, along with diplomatic pressure, prevented any intervention. Public anxiety grew amid comparisons to US involvement in the Vietnam War, but the Soviet Union's backing and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's strong leadership helped ease tensions and dispel fears.
Some reports falsely claimed that the Pakistani Army had entered Indian territory, which was not the case. The Indian Army secured decisive victories on both the eastern and western fronts within just 13 days.
There were also unfounded claims that the government would confiscate property or shut down ration shops. In reality, while certain policies were tightened due to the ongoing economic crisis, the supply of grain and oil remained steady. The war concluded with a historic Indian victory marked by the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers.
First Published:
May 07, 2025, 17:00 IST
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