India Accuses Pakistan of Widespread Disinformation Campaign Following ‘Operation Sindoor’
New Delhi, May 7, 2025 – The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has accused Pakistan of launching a massive disinformation campaign on social media following India’s "precision strikes" against terrorist camps under ‘Operation Sindoor’. The Ministry alleges that Pakistan is attempting to divert attention from the ground realities of the operation by spreading fabricated stories of military victories and heroic retaliation. This coordinated effort involves pro-Pakistan social media handles, influential political figures, and even state-affiliated accounts, all working in concert to disseminate false narratives and manipulate public perception.
The I&B Ministry claims that Pakistan’s disinformation tactics include recycling outdated images, misrepresenting old videos, and inventing entirely fabricated claims. To counter this offensive, a dedicated war room has been established within the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) fact-check unit. This team is working around the clock to verify information circulating on social media platforms and expose the falsehoods being propagated by pro-Pakistan elements. The Ministry has already flagged at least seven major instances of propaganda since the commencement of Operation Sindoor.
The Ministry highlighted several specific examples of disinformation. One prominent case involved a viral image falsely claiming that the Pakistan Army had shot down an Indian Rafale jet. PIB Fact Check debunked this claim, revealing that the image was actually from a MiG-21 crash in Punjab in 2021, completely unrelated to the current situation. Similarly, a video circulating online falsely depicted the Indian Army surrendering at Chora Post. This fabrication was amplified by Pakistan’s Minister Attaullah Tarar, who publicly endorsed the claim without any evidence. The Ministry condemned Tarar’s actions, accusing him of misleading his citizens and actively contributing to the propaganda campaign.
Another misleading post featured a video purportedly showing the Pakistan Air Force targeting the Srinagar Airbase. Fact-checking revealed that the footage originated from sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in early 2024, having no connection to Kashmir or any recent airstrikes. Furthermore, a false claim circulated regarding Pakistan’s destruction of an Indian Brigade Headquarters, accompanied by an old image of a MiG-29 crash in Rajasthan from September 2024. These instances demonstrate a pattern of manipulating existing media to create false narratives.
The Ministry also pointed to statements made by Pakistani officials as part of the disinformation campaign. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif falsely claimed that Indian soldiers had been captured during the military strikes. This assertion was later retracted by Asif himself after being debunked due to lack of evidence. These coordinated efforts, according to the I&B Ministry, represent a deliberate attempt by Pakistan to mislead the media, distort the global narrative, and manipulate public perception regarding India’s successful operation.
The I&B Ministry characterized Pakistan’s actions as a desperate attempt to create the illusion of a strong counter-response to Operation Sindoor. By flooding the information space with falsehoods, Pakistan aims to sow confusion and undermine the credibility of factual reporting. The Ministry’s efforts to counter this disinformation campaign through its fact-checking unit underscore the importance of verifying information in the face of such coordinated propaganda efforts. The ongoing struggle to separate fact from fiction highlights the challenges posed by disinformation in the digital age, particularly during times of international tension. The Ministry vowed to continue its efforts to expose and counter the spread of false information.