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Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan's MLRS barrage on India? It's a video game, says PIB
NEW DELHI: A viral video claiming to show a heavy rocket barrage by Pakistan on India has been debunked by the government as fake, with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) confirming that the footage was taken from a video game. In a post on X, PIB Fact Check flagged the video as part of a broader disinformation campaign . '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,' the post read. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: 'India won't give face-saving exit to Pak army chief Asim Munir' IPL 2025: BCCI suspends IPL 2025 amid India-Pakistan tensions Fully intact, undetonated Chinese PL-15 missile found in Hoshiarpur It added that the video had been online for over three years and originated from a gaming platform, not any real-world conflict. The clarification comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following India's precision strikes on terror camps across the border in response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. Since then, several Pakistani social media accounts have circulated misleading content to provoke panic and distort the narrative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You - See Tips Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo The PIB's Fact Check Unit investigated seven such videos between late Wednesday and early Thursday. These included a video falsely showing a drone strike in Jalandhar, which was actually a farm fire. The district collector of Jalandhar confirmed this was misinformation. Another clip purporting to show a Pakistani missile strike on India was found to be footage from the 2020 Beirut explosion. A separate claim that the Pakistani military had destroyed an Indian post was also disproved; there is no such entity as the "20 Raj Battalion" in the Indian Army. A fabricated letter attributed to a non-existent Army chief, General VK Narayan, was also circulated online. PIB dismissed this letter as entirely fake. A further video claimed that the Indian Air Force had launched attacks from the Ambala airbase. PIB confirmed this to be untrue, citing a detailed Ministry of Defence press release. False reports of a 'fidayeen' attack in Rajouri and a blanket entry ban at airports were also debunked. Airlines including Akasa, SpiceJet, and IndiGo have instead advised passengers to arrive early due to heightened security measures. PIB urged the public to stay alert and avoid spreading unverified content, stressing the importance of relying on official sources during times of national tension.
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PIB Fact Check debunks seven instances of misinformation amid escalated tension
New Delhi [India], May 9 (ANI): Amid the escalated tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of India's precision strikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, detrimental elements from Pakistan have been trying to deliberately sabotage the narrative from the ground reality by spreading misinformation with a sole objective to instil fear among the Indian masses. Following India's retaliation during Operation Sindoor against the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, intense misinformation campaigns were launched by Pakistan-based social media handles, which had been actively and successfully debunked by the Fact Check of the Press Information Bureau (PIB). The PIB's fact-check unit debunked seven instances between late Wednesday night and early Thursday that showed the Pakistani side fabricating a narrative in their support. In a press brief, the Fact Check Unit compiled the seven instances, debunked them, put the facts straight and slammed the misinformation spread in order to disrupt. The unit debunked a video claiming to be a drone attack in Jalandhar, noting that it was an unrelated video of a farm fire. The PIB unit also stated that the timeline of the video was posted at 7:39 PM, while the drone attack by Pakistan began much later. The same was backed by the District Collector of Jalandhar Another video falsely claimed that a Pakistani army attack destroyed an Indian post, which the fact-check unit debunked, confirming that the video was staged and part of Pakistan's propaganda campaign. The unit noted that there was no '20 Raj Battalion' in the Indian Army, which was shown in the video. An old video was also shared claiming Pakistan launched a missile attack on India, but the unit identified it as footage from an explosive attack in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2020. Information about a 'fidayeen' attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, was widely circulated but the fact-check unit confirmed that no such attack occurred, flagging the claim as intended to mislead and cause confusion. A purported confidential letter from the Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS), General VK Narayan, regarding military preparedness was debunked, and PIB confirmed that General Narayan is not the CoAS, and the letter was entirely fabricated. In another case of debunking, PIB exposed a baseless claim on social media where it stated that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack Amritsar and its citizens. Another post alleged entry bans into airports across India, which the Fact Check unit debunked, confirming no such decision was taken by the Union Government. The PIB Fact Check's efforts in debunking fake news and busting myths have been crucial in maintaining public trust and countering attempts to destabilise the nation through misinformation during such times. (ANI)
Mint
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
India-Pakistan conflict: PIB debunks seven instances of misinformation amid heightened tension; what it revealed
Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, certain elements from Pakistan have been actively attempting to undermine the narrative based on the actual situation by spreading misinformation. In response to India's counteraction during Operation Sindoor, which targeted the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, a series of intensive misinformation campaigns were launched by social media accounts based in Pakistan. These campaigns have been effectively countered by the Fact Check division of the Press Information Bureau (PIB). The PIB's fact-check unit debunked seven instances between late Wednesday night and early Thursday that showed the Pakistani side fabricating a narrative in their support. In a press brief, the Fact Check Unit compiled the seven instances, debunked them, put the facts straight and slammed the misinformation spread in order to disrupt. 1. Drone attack in Jalandhar: The unit debunked a video claiming to be a drone attack in Jalandhar, noting that it was an unrelated video of a farm fire. The PIB unit also stated that the timeline of the video was posted at 7:39 PM, while the drone attack by Pakistan began much later. The same was backed by the District Collector of Jalandhar. 2: Indian post destroyed by Pakistan: Another video falsely claimed that a Pakistani army attack destroyed an Indian post, which the fact-check unit debunked, confirming that the video was staged and part of Pakistan's propaganda campaign. The unit noted that there was no "20 Raj Battalion" in the Indian Army, which was shown in the video. 3. Missile attack by Pakistan: An old video was also shared claiming Pakistan launched a missile attack on India, but the unit identified it as footage from an explosive attack in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2020. 5. 'Fidayeen attack': Information about a 'fidayeen' attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, was widely circulated but the fact-check unit confirmed that no such attack occurred, flagging the claim as intended to mislead and cause confusion. 6. Fake letter: A purported confidential letter from the Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS), General VK Narayan, regarding military preparedness was debunked, and PIB confirmed that General Narayan is not the CoAS, and the letter was entirely fabricated. 7. Baseless information about Ambala Airbase: In another case of debunking, PIB exposed a baseless claim on social media where it stated that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack Amritsar and its citizens. Another post alleged entry bans into airports across India, which the Fact Check unit debunked, confirming no such decision was taken by the Union Government. The PIB Fact Check's efforts in debunking fake news and busting myths have been crucial in maintaining public trust and countering attempts to destabilise the nation through misinformation during such times. The PIB's fact-check unit debunked seven instances between late Wednesday night and early Thursday that showed the Pakistani side fabricating a narrative in their support. The claims on social media about attacks on certain Indian targets peaked as India on Thursday thwarted Pakistan's attempts to target its military sites, including in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, Uttarlai and Bhuj, with drones and missiles as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider military conflict. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Drone attack in Jalandhar? PIB fact checks viral claim
NEW DELHI: Amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan following India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor, social media has seen a surge in misleading videos. One such video, widely shared as footage of a drone strike in Jalandhar, has been debunked by the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check Unit. PIB clarified that the video does not depict a drone attack but shows a farm fire. Operation Sindoor Air siren warning sounded in Chandigarh, residents advised to stay indoors J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan on high alert after Pak's failed drone attacks Conflict widens, India targets Lahore, Pindi, Karachi after foiling multiple Pakistani attacks Crucially, the video is timestamped at 7:39 PM, whereas the drone strikes launched by Pakistan occurred later. This was further confirmed by the District Collector of Jalandhar, who called the viral clip disinformation. "Do not share this video," PIB warned in its post, urging the public to avoid spreading unverified content. The Jalandhar video is one of several pieces of misinformation that emerged in the wake of India's precision strikes across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Between Wednesday night and early Thursday, PIB's fact-checking team exposed seven such false claims circulating on social media, many originating from Pakistani sources. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How Smart Traders Use Data to Navigate Volatile Markets Trader Headline Learn More Undo These included a fabricated video claiming a Pakistani army attack destroyed an Indian post, which referenced a non-existent '20 Raj Battalion'; another showing a 2020 Beirut explosion passed off as a Pakistani missile strike on India; and a forged letter attributed to a fictitious Chief of Army Staff, Gen VK Narayan. PIB has reiterated its call for vigilance, urging citizens to verify content before sharing and rely only on official sources during sensitive times.
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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Govt debunks claims of suicide attack on Army brigade in J-K's Rajouri
The government on Friday dismissed claims of a suicide attack on an Army brigade in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri and a drone attack in Punjab's Jalandhar by certain social media handles as "fake news". The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check Unit found that there was no "fidayeen" or suicide attack on any Army cantonment in Jammu and Kashmir, while the video claiming to be that of a drone attack in Jalandhar pertained to a farm fire. The district collector of Jalandhar has confirmed it to be disinformation, the PIB said. ???? #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. — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025 "A total of seven videos were fact-checked between 22:00 hours on May 8, 2025, and 06:30 hours on May 9. A list of the fact-checked videos, along with their links, has been compiled," the PIB said. It found that an old video shared on social media claiming to be of Pakistan's missile attack on India was actually of an explosive attack that took place in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2020. In another case, a video claiming the destruction of an Indian Army post by Pakistani forces was found to be fabricated. The Fact Check Unit verified that there was no such unit as the "20 Raj Battalion" in the Indian Army, as claimed in the video. "A barrage of coordinated disinformation has been carried out by certain social media handles in general and mainstream media in particular in Pakistan with the sole objective to instill fear among the Indian masses," a PIB statement said. The Fact Check Unit also said that a video of an explosion on an oil tanker dating back to July 7, 2021, was passed off as an attack on the Hazira Port in Gujarat. A fake letter attributed to a non-existent "Chief of Army Staff, Gen V K Narayan" also surfaced, which the PIB confirmed to be fabricated. Another viral video claimed that the Indian military used its airbase in Ambala to launch attacks, which the PIB dismissed as false and referred to a detailed Ministry of Defence press release to clarify the facts. Reiterating its commitment to countering disinformation and safeguarding national integrity, the PIB urged citizens to rely only on verified sources and refrain from sharing any unverified content. The claims on social media about attacks on certain Indian targets peaked as India on Thursday thwarted Pakistan's attempts to target its military sites, including in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, Uttarlai and Bhuj, with drones and missiles as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider military conflict.
