
No 'fidayeen' attack, no strike on Hazira port: PIB counters fake news flooding social media amid India-Pakistan tensions
PIB fact checks false claims running on social media around escalating India-Pakistan tensions.
NEW DELHI: Press Information Bureau's Fact Check Unit has been on a constant debunking job for the last few days, disproving fabricated videos and fake news running on X accounts claiming that India's port in Gujarat was attacked, drone attack in Jalandhar and suicide attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, among other news.
Indian post destroyed?
An Indian post was claimed to be destroyed by the Pakistani army in one of the fake videos spread online.
Operation Sindoor
Conflict widens, India targets Lahore, Pindi, Karachi after foiling multiple Pakistani attacks
Army foils Pakistan's attempts to send swarm drones across LoC
Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list
The video was shared and amplified by a number of fake and unverified accounts.
PIB found the claim to be completely false and confirmed it to be staged upon verification since there is no unit called '20 Raj Battalion" in the Indian Army. "Staged Video Alert. Fake video is being circulated by Pakistani handles alleging that an Indian post was destroyed by the Pakistani Army.
PIB Fact Check
: The claim is completely false, and the video is staged. There is no unit called '20 Raj Battalion' in the Indian Army. This is part of a coordinated propaganda campaign aimed at creating panic and misleading the public," it said.
Is there a ban on entering airports?
A social media post was allegedly shared claiming that entry bans into airports across India. PIB busted and debunked the fake narrative and flagged the same since there was no such decision taken from the government.
"Fake News Alert. Social media posts are claiming that entry to airports across India has been banned. #PIBFactCheck. This claim is FAKE. The government has taken no such decision," tweeted PIB on X.
Fidayeen attack
on Army?
Information regarding a fidayeen attack on an Army brigade in J&K's Rajouri was widely shared and circulated. Upon fact-checking, PIB confirmed that no such fidayeen or suicide attack occurred on any army cantonment. The false claims was solely intented to mislead and cause confusion. The video was accordingly flagged.
Debunking false narrative being run on suicide attacks under the name of 'fidayeen', PIB said, "Fake news is circulating about a "fidayeen" attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. PIB Fact Check: 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."
Attack on Hazira port in Gujarat?
Another fake news running on Twitter claimed that Gujarat's Hazira Port has been attacked but PIB fact check investigation confirmed that the video being shared on social media is that of an oil tanker explosion and not attack by Pakistan.
"This video is widely circulating on social media with a claim that Hazira Port in Gujarat has been attacked. This is an unrelated video confirmed to depict an oil tanker explosion. The video is dated July 7, 2021. Do not share this video," said PIB fact check on X.
Drone attack in Jalandhar?
A video of a drone attack in Jalandhar was widely being circulated to create a panic among the masses. PIB investigated the video and found that it was an unrelated video of a farm fire. The video had the timeline of 7.39 pm, while the drone attack began later. The same was backed by the DC of Jalandhar.
PIB on X said, "This drone strike video from Jalandhar is widely circulating on social media PIB Fact Check. 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 clarification from DC, Jalandhar below."
Missile attack on India?
An old video was shared on Social Media with the claim that Pakistan has launched a missile attack on India in retaliation. PIB upon fact-checking the video busted the disinformation. The video shared was actually of the explosive attack that took place in Beirut, Lebanon in the year 2020.
"An old video is being shared on social media with the claim that Pakistan has launched a missile attack on India in retaliation. PIB Fact Check: The video being shared is of the explosive attack that took place in Beirut, Lebanon in the year 2020 Don't fall for the propaganda being spread by Pakistani handles. Rely only on official information," govt said on X.
These developments follow heightened India-Pakistan tensions after the army conducted precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to terror attacks on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people including a Nepali citizen.
The operation targeted nine terror facilities in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the government informed in media briefing. The military action focused on destroying infrastructure associated with terrorist organisations including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
20 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Tharoor, Owaisi, Sule defended India abroad, Rahul Gandhi betrayed': Himanta
In a rare show of appreciation for their political opponents, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday praised Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi and NCP(SCP) leader Supriya Sule for defending India with dignity abroad. The BJP leader also launched a sharp attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for "tarnishing India's image on international platforms, while contrasting him with these other opposition leaders. Also Read | 'World now knows the truth': Shashi Tharoor-led delegation on Operation Sindoor wraps up US visit "I am thankful to Congress and other opposition leaders, especially Shashi Tharoor, who have strongly defended India's position on foreign soil. Not only him, but leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and Supriya Sule also represented India on foreign soil and defended the nation," Himanta was quoted as saying by PTI. "They all stood for India. But the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, did not. He has betrayed the nation. He has betrayed the armed forces," Sarma further alleged. Also Read | 19 Brahmos, Crystal Maze missiles: How India brought Pakistan to its knees during Op Sindoor Himanta Biswa Sarma was referring to the all-party delegations that recently toured several countries, carrying out an anti-terror drive on behalf of the central government. Sarma further accused Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly raising doubts about India's military strength and questioning the government's response to Pakistan. During a discussion on a resolution in the state assembly over the success of 'Operation Sindoor', Sarma said Gandhi has been constantly asking about India's losses, but never wanted to know the damage incurred by Pakistan in the military conflict. Also Read | Gen Ghai, face of army during Op Sindoor, promoted as dy chief of army staff "Asking about the losses after the military conflict is a different thing, but he asked about India's losses when it was ongoing. However, he never asked about Pakistan's losses," Sarma claimed. Rahul Gandhi often stirred controversies with his remarks abroad, the most recent being his speech at the University of Texas in the United States last year. Addressing the gathering there, Gandhi said, "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem." Also Read | Did Pakistan hit Adampur, Bhuj air bases during Operation Sindoor? Satellite images show otherwise Recently, Gandhi called out External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his "damning silence" on the number of aircraft India lost under Operation Sindoor. The Congress MP also accused the EAM of informing Pakistan of the start of India's response in Operation Sindoor.


Mint
28 minutes ago
- Mint
Goyal begins visit to Switzerland and Sweden to deepen trade ties, focus on India-EFTA pact
New Delhi: Amid ongoing negotiations for the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the US, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Monday began a five-day official visit to Switzerland and Sweden, aimed at strengthening India's economic and trade ties with key European partners. The visit, which runs from 9 to 13 June, is expected to advance negotiations on the India-EFTA trade agreement and explore new avenues for investment in sectors such as precision engineering, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable technologies, as per a commerce ministry statement. However, the official release does not mention the inclusion of a business delegation with the minister, despite an earlier announcement by Goyal during his address at the CII Business Summit in New Delhi on 29 May, where he had indicated that a delegation of Indian industry leaders would travel with him to explore partnership opportunities. In Switzerland, Goyal will hold sector-specific meetings with global CEOs and senior officials from industries including life sciences and high-tech manufacturing. He is also scheduled to meet federal councillor Guy Parmelin, Swiss companies, and Indian industry representatives to push forward discussions on the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (Tepa), which is seen as a critical pillar of India's strategy to diversify trade partnerships and reduce reliance on traditional markets, the statement said. The minister's itinerary includes participation in the Swissmem Industry Day and a roundtable with the Swiss mechanical and electrical industries—sectors in which Switzerland has deep expertise and where India is seeking greater technology partnerships. The visit comes at a time when India is seeking to push forward stalled trade negotiations with several partners, including those under EFTA, amid a broader geopolitical push to deepen ties with Western democracies and reduce China-dependency in global supply chains. Switzerland, which has a major share of EFTA's total trade with India, is seen as a key player in finalising a balanced and forward-looking Tepa deal. After concluding engagements in Switzerland, Goyal will travel to Sweden, where he will co-chair the 21st session of the Indo-Swedish Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation (JCEISC) alongside Swedish minister for international development cooperation and foreign trade, Benjamin Dousa, the ministry said in the statement. The commission meeting will serve as a platform to review the current economic cooperation and identify new areas of collaboration, the ministry said. In Sweden, bilateral meetings are also lined up with Håkan Jevrell, state secretary to the minister of development cooperation and foreign trade, as well as CEOs of major Swedish firms, including Volvo Group, Ericsson, IKEA, Sandvik, Alfa Laval, and SAAB, the ministry said. Discussions are likely to focus on green technologies, advanced manufacturing, and innovation—areas where Sweden has global leadership and where India is aiming to accelerate its industrial transition.


India.com
30 minutes ago
- India.com
In Brussels, EAM Jaishankar Welcomes Belgium's Support In Combatting Terrorism
BRUSSELS: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday held discussions with Maxime Prevot, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, welcoming the country's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. During the bilateral talks, the EAM lauded the warm and friendly relations between the two countries, also reflected in very robust economic partnership. "Pleased to meet DPM and FM Maxime Prevot at the start of my visit to Belgium. Welcomed Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. Appreciated the strong momentum of our bilateral engagement and the India-EU partnership. Also held wide-ranging discussions on deepening our cooperation including in trade, investment, technology, defence and security, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and mobility," Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting. Pleased to meet DPM & FM @prevotmaxime at the start of my visit to Belgium. Welcomed Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. Appreciated the strong momentum of our bilateral engagement and the India - EU partnership. Also held wide - ranging discussions on… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 9, 2025 The External Affairs Minister is on an official visit to France, EU and Belgium from June 8 to 14 to further deepen India's friendly relations and give renewed momentum to ongoing cooperation in diverse areas. India-Belgium collaboration currently spans various domains like trade and investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceutical, diamond sector and strong people-to-people ties. During his visit to Belgium, the EAM would also meet the senior leadership of Belgium besides interacting with the members of the Indian community. "India-European Union strategic partnership has strengthened over the years across diverse sectors and got a big boost with the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February this year. During the visit, EAM will be holding a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas, and will engage with the senior leadership from the European Commission and the European Parliament, besides interacting with think tank and media," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on EAM's visit. During this visit, EAM Jaishankar would also travel to Paris and Marseille where he would be holding bilateral discussions with his counterpart Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot. He is scheduled to participate in the inaugural edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue which is being held in the city of Marseille. "India and France have completed 25 years of strategic partnership. Our relations with France are rooted in deep trust and commitment, and our two countries cooperate closely across all domains of strategic and contemporary relevance besides sharing similar outlook on many regional and global issues. He will also engage with the senior leadership of France, and interact with think tanks and media," the MEA detailed.