PIB Fact Check Unit Warns of Coordinated Disinformation Campaign Targeting India
New Delhi, May 10 — The Indian government on Saturday categorically rejected a series of viral social media claims, describing them as "fake" and aimed at inciting communal tension and creating confusion amid rising regional tensions.No Drone Attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara
A video circulating online alleged that India had launched a drone attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan, the revered birthplace of Guru Nanak. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit dismissed the claim as entirely false, stating that such misinformation is being deliberately spread to stoke communal unrest within India.Udhampur Air Base Remains Fully Operational
Refuting another sensational claim, the government addressed a viral report aired by a platform named "AIK News", which alleged that Pakistan had destroyed the Udhampur Air Base in Jammu and Kashmir. The PIB confirmed that the air base remains fully operational and branded the report as part of a coordinated fake news effort.No Indian Pilot Captured in PoK
The PIB also rejected circulating posts that claimed an Indian pilot had ejected from a fighter jet in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and that a woman air force pilot had been captured by Pakistani forces. These claims, too, were labelled as baseless and untrue.Power Grid and Air Travel Claims Also Fake
Further debunking rumors, the government clarified that India's power grid remains intact, contrary to false reports of it being compromised in a cyberattack. Additionally, it said there is no truth to social media posts alleging a shutdown of the Mumbai-Delhi airline route.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed only a temporary closure of 25 Air Traffic Service (ATS)segments in the Delhi and Mumbai flight information regions, citing operational reasons.
Viral Video of ‘Crying Soldiers’ Not Related to Army
Addressing another misleading video, the PIB clarified that a clip showing young men in tears was misrepresented. The video was from a private defence coaching institute, where students were emotionally reacting to their selection into the Indian Army. Originally posted on Instagram on April 27, it had no relation to any Army activity.False Claims of Blasts Near Srinagar and Jaipur Airports
The government dismissed foreign media reports of ten explosions around Srinagar airport and similar claims near Jaipur airport, reiterating that no such incidents had occurred.No Army Post Destroyed, Viral Video From 2020
The PIB also flagged a video falsely claiming destruction of Indian Army posts as outdated. The footage, shared in connection with Operation Sindoor, was originally uploaded to YouTube on November 15, 2020.The PIB Fact Check Unit revealed that it has debunked more than 20 viral videos in the past three days alone. These disinformation efforts, often emerging from Pakistani sources, have been described as a form of psychological warfare intended to spread panic and confusion within Indian society.