KEY POINTS
- Pakistan-based social media accounts are circulating old and unrelated videos to spread fake news about military attacks.
- PIB Fact Check and Maharashtra Cyber have confirmed that many viral posts are completely false and misleading.
- Citizens are advised to trust only official government sources and avoid sharing unverified content online.
As tensions along the India-Pakistan border increase, a dangerous war is being fought, not just on the ground but also in the digital space. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp are flooded with fake news, old videos, edited images, and false claims that aim to mislead people and create fear. These posts are being shared widely and quickly, especially by accounts based in Pakistan, leading to confusion and panic among citizens in India.
Fake News Flooded the Internet After Operation Sindoor
After India launched Operation Sindoor to target terrorist camps across the border, a storm of misinformation followed. From fake videos of missile strikes to misleading images showing military bases under attack, social media has become a battleground of lies. Some users claimed that Indian cities were under attack, while others posted edited visuals of supposed Indian army setbacks. But fact-checkers, including PIB Fact Check, have found that most of these posts are fake or recycled content from old incidents or completely unrelated events.
How Pakistan-Based Social Media Accounts Are Spreading Lies
Several Pakistan-based social media handles have been found responsible for spreading old or doctored videos to give the impression that the Pakistan army has struck back in response to India’s actions. For example:
- A video claiming that Pakistan launched a missile attack on India is actually from Beirut, Lebanon in 2020.
- Another video being shared as a drone strike in Jalandhar is just a video of a farm fire.
- An image supposedly showing a Pakistani army interception of an Indian drone is taken from the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
- An old video from Indonesia, dated May 6, 2025, is being passed off as a Pakistani attack on an Indian military colony.
These attempts are not accidental; they are part of a coordinated misinformation campaign being run to confuse the Indian public and create internal unrest.
Even Indian Incidents Being Misused to Spread Panic
Fake news creators are also using old Indian incidents to suggest failure or internal attacks. For example:
- A video from 2019, when an IAF helicopter crashed near Budgam, is now being used to falsely suggest an Indian aircraft was shot down by Pakistan.
- A social media post claimed that India bombed its own citizens in Amritsar from the Ambala airbase, which has been completely debunked by the Ministry of Defence.
- An image from the Kabul airport blast in 2021 was falsely shared to suggest an explosion at Jammu Air Force Base.
Fake Advisories and Letters Targeting the Army
Fake content is not limited to videos and images. Even false advisories and letters have been shared to mislead the public. A viral message claimed that people must turn off location services due to an official advisory; this is completely fake. Another false document suggested that the Chief of Army Staff, General VK Narayan, sent a secret letter on military preparedness. However, no such person currently holds that post.
To stop this digital attack, the Maharashtra Cyber Department has issued a strong warning. They have advised people not to forward unverified videos or messages. The department has started taking down fake content and working with social media platforms and national agencies to trace the origin of these posts. They warned that spreading fake news, even unknowingly, is a punishable crime under Indian law.
The Government of India has issued a clear advisory: people must only trust official sources like:
- PIB Fact Check
- Ministry of Defence
- Verified Government Social Media Handles
Avoid relying on random forwards or unverified sources. People have been encouraged to report suspicious content immediately.
China Also Adds to the Misinformation
Not just Pakistan, even foreign media like China Daily has spread false reports. One report claimed that three Indian jets crashed in Kashmir, using an image from 2019. These false stories are meant to hurt India’s global image and cause confusion within the country.
In some cases, fake videos are actually taken from video games. One viral clip showing a massive rocket attack on India was traced back to a war game video that’s been online for over three years. Other videos have been edited using AI tools to make fake attacks look real.
At a time when national security is most important, the public must play its role in maintaining peace. Pakistan-based accounts are actively trying to sow fear and division in India through false claims. Their target is not just the military but also the minds of the Indian people. Every Indian has a responsibility to check the truth before sharing anything online.
Comments