India Counters Pakistani Propaganda Amidst Operation Sindoor
New Delhi – The Indian government has launched a robust counter-propaganda offensive against what it terms "Pakistan-sponsored disinformation" related to Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces’ response to the recent Pahalgam attack. The Press Information Bureau (PIB), acting as the government’s fact-checking arm, has systematically debunked a series of fabricated news stories and manipulated media circulating on social media platforms. The PIB has urged citizens to remain vigilant and critically evaluate information, especially content pertaining to the military operation. It has also established channels for the public to report suspicious content directly to the PIB for verification.
The central theme of the Pakistani disinformation campaign appears to be the portrayal of Indian military setbacks and vulnerabilities. False narratives and doctored images have been disseminated, claiming the downing of Indian fighter jets, including the advanced Rafale, and damage to Indian military installations. The PIB meticulously exposed these falsehoods, tracing many of the images and videos back to unrelated incidents, some dating back several years. This tactic of recycling old footage and presenting it within the current context demonstrates a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and sow discord.
The PIB’s fact-checking efforts have exposed a range of fabricated stories. Claims of a downed Rafale jet near Bahawalpur were linked to a 2021 MiG-21 crash in Punjab. Another video purportedly showing a downed IAF fighter jet was actually footage from a 2019 Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash in Budgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Similarly, images of jet crashes from 2024 and 2025 were resurrected and falsely attributed to Operation Sindoor-related incidents. In each case, the PIB provided accurate details of the original events, highlighting the deceptive nature of the Pakistani propaganda.
The disinformation campaign extended beyond claims of Indian aircraft losses. A video circulating on pro-Pakistan social media accounts falsely asserted that the Pakistan Air Force had targeted the Srinagar airbase. The PIB revealed that the footage actually depicted sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in 2024. Another false narrative propagated the destruction of an Indian Brigade Headquarters during Operation Sindoor. The PIB urged the public to rely solely on official government sources for accurate information, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the spread of unverified claims.
Adding to the layered disinformation strategy, an older video from 2019 showing Pakistani soldiers using a white flag to retrieve the bodies of their fallen personnel after a failed infiltration attempt was misrepresented. Pakistani social media accounts circulated the footage with the fabricated claim that it depicted Indian Army troops surrendering and retrieving their own dead. The PIB exposed this manipulative tactic as a blatant attempt to distort reality and undermine the Indian Army’s image.
Further amplifying the disinformation campaign, a forged letter attributed to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) circulated online. This fabricated letter alleged a failure in BrahMos missile components and was falsely attributed to a DRDO scientist named A.S. Kumar. The PIB clarified that no such scientist exists within the DRDO and that the letter was a complete fabrication. This incident underscores the breadth and depth of the disinformation campaign, targeting not just operational events but also the credibility of Indian defense research.
The Indian government’s proactive approach to countering this disinformation campaign demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accuracy. The PIB’s detailed debunking of fabricated stories, coupled with its appeal for public vigilance, serves as a crucial defense against the spread of misinformation. This approach not only protects the integrity of information but also reinforces public trust in official government channels. The ongoing information warfare highlights the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age and the need for robust mechanisms to counter such campaigns.