Tensions between India and Pakistan intensified on the night of May 8 and 9, with reports streaming in from Jammu & Kashmir, the Line of Control, Rajasthan and various regions in north India on heavy Pakistani shelling. Meanwhile, social media has seen a surge of misinformation and fabricated content amid the escalating tension between the neighbouring countries, following India's Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The Press Information Bureau's fact-checking team has been actively countering false narratives circulating on various platforms, posting clarifications on X.
Here's a look at the spate of fake news busted by PIB Fact Check, while appealing to public to only believe in information from government agencies.
Series Of Fake News Busted By PIB Fact Check
Jalandhar Drone Strike
A viral video on Thursday claimed to depict the aftermath of a drone strike in Jalandhar. However, PIB Fact Check promptly refuted this claim, explaining that the footage actually shows a farm fire. A crucial clue, the bureau pointed out, was visible in the video itself: a timestamp reading 7:39 p.m., predating the confirmed drone activity in the area.
In a post on X, PIB stated, “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 p.m., while the drone attack began later."
Drone Attack in Jalandhar⁉️
May 8, 2025
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/IRBjq2KOTQMissile Attack By Pakistan
Another misleading video circulating online purportedly showed a missile attack by Pakistan on India. PIB identified the footage as being from the catastrophic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, back in 2020.
AdvertisementAn #old video is being shared on #SocialMedia with the claim that #Pakistan has launched a missile attack on India in retaliation. #PIBFactCheck
May 8, 2025
✅ 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/G8nIIdn6FGHazira Port Attack
A separate clip falsely claimed an attack had taken place at Hazira Port in Gujarat. PIB debunked this assertion, clarifying that the video was of an oil tanker explosion that occurred in July 2021, and unrelated to any recent incidents at the port.
This video is widely circulating on social media with a claim that Hazira Port in #Gujarat has been attacked #PIBFactCheck
May 9, 2025
* 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/nlQwgVAj3kPakistan Army Intercepts Indian UAV
Meanwhile, a Pakistan-based social media account shared an old photograph, alleging that the Pakistan Army had intercepted an Indian UAV. The PIB team traced the image back to the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.
AdvertisementDid this Indian drone really get intercepted in Pakistan❓
May 8, 2025
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/XdY1D9ZmuQFidayeen Attack In Rajouri
Further misinformation emerged with claims of a “fidayeen” or suicide attack targeting an army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. PIB categorically denied this, stating that no such attack had taken place at any army cantonment.
🚨 #Fake_news is circulating about a "fidayeen" attack on an Army brigade in #Rajouri, #Jammu and #Kashmir.#PIBFactCheck:
May 8, 2025
▶️ 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/x8Az5tigUOPIB Busts Fake News Spread By Pakistani Social Media Handles
The PIB Fact Check team has successfully debunked a series of false claims of Pakistani attacks on the Indian Armed Forces. These fake videos were mostly spread by Pakistani social media handles.
In a video, old footage was circulated by Pakistani handles, falsely alleging an explosion at the Udhampur Air Force Station in Jammu. PIB confirmed the video had no connection to current events.
❓Explosion at Jammu Air Force Base? Here's the truth!
May 9, 2025
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/y99zbukBGMA video claiming that Pakistani forces had launched strikes on Indian posts in the Battal Sector was also exposed as outdated and unrelated to any operations following Operation Sindoor.
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
May 8, 2025
✅This video is old and NOT related to any activity post #OperationSindoor
✅This image is… pic.twitter.com/n4mWxr21jwAnother fabricated video circulated by Pakistani accounts alleged that an Indian post had been destroyed by Pakistani forces. PIB dismissed the claim as entirely false and highlighted that the video was staged. The fact-checking body noted, “There is no unit called ‘20 Raj Battalion' in the Indian Army.”
🚨 Staged Video Alert 🚨
May 8, 2025
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/959rc9OrTHPakistani social media accounts also revived old footage from 2019, showing an Indian Air Force helicopter crash near Budgam, presenting it as a recent incident.
Viral Video Alert! Truth Behind the Aircraft Crash Linked to #OperationSindoor!
May 8, 2025
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/md42wWpxO2A video allegedly depicting a Pakistani attack on an Indian military colony was found to be from Indonesia, dated May 6, 2025, before Operation Sindoor was even launched.
⚠️ Don't Fall for Misinformation!
May 8, 2025
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/ijE8Dymp02Another misleading image circulating online claimed a Pakistani missile had struck an Indian S-400 air defence system. PIB clarified that the image was actually from a fire at a military site in Moscow in 2023.
⚠️Pakistan Propaganda Alert
May 8, 2025
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/Pmo7U9KXJrA supposed confidential letter, attributed to Chief of Army Staff General VK Narayan and allegedly sent to a Northern Command officer regarding military preparedness, was also flagged as 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
May 8, 2025
✅ This letter is completely Fake.
✅ Gen. V.K. Narayan is… pic.twitter.com/OvDxaql3kzIn another instance, a social media post claimed that India's military used the Ambala airbase to attack Amritsar and its own citizens. The Ministry of Defence dismissed the claim as baseless and released a detailed statement clarifying the facts.
A social media post falsely claims that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack #Amritsar and its own citizens.
May 8, 2025
🔍 #PIBFactCheck:
✅ This claim is completely baseless and part of a concerted misinformation campaign.
Read more about #Pakistan attack on Amritsar👇… pic.twitter.com/C2NnXPjkgFFalse claims also surfaced alleging that India had targeted Pakistan's Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project. PIB refuted these claims, citing India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's statement that India had only targeted terrorist infrastructure.
Social Media post falsely claims India targeted the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project in #Pakistan. #PIBFactCheck
May 8, 2025
✅ 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/6GMVoLMIS4Additionally, old videos were recirculated by Pakistani accounts, falsely suggesting that strikes had taken place on a military base in Amritsar.
⚠️Pakistan Propaganda Alert!
May 8, 2025
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/1FdtfXUqEYIn light of the surge in misinformation, PIB issued an advisory warning that social media platforms would likely see an influx of Pakistan-backed propaganda in the coming days. It urged the public to critically assess content, especially those involving the Indian Armed Forces or the ongoing conflict and to report dubious material to #PIBFactCheck through WhatsApp on +91 8799711259 or email to factcheck@pib.gov.in.
In the coming days your social media will be flooded with #Pakistan sponsored propaganda.
May 8, 2025
It's crucial to scrutinize every piece of information carefully.
If you encounter dubious content, especially concerning the Indian Armed Forces or any info related to ongoing situation,… pic.twitter.com/YomXZUKmpHAmid rising tensions, even the public needs to remain vigilant and verify information based on the announcements made by the government agencies and PIB before sharing it online. It will be helpful to curb the spread of misinformation.
Check latest updates on the India-Pakistan tensions here.
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