PIB Fact Check debunks seven instances of misinformation amid escalated tension

New Delhi [India], May 9 (ANI): Amid the escalated tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of India's precision strikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, detrimental elements from Pakistan have been trying to deliberately sabotage the narrative from the ground reality by spreading misinformation with a sole objective to instil fear among the Indian masses.
Following India's retaliation during Operation Sindoor against the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, intense misinformation campaigns were launched by Pakistan-based social media handles, which had been actively and successfully debunked by the Fact Check of the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The PIB's fact-check unit debunked seven instances between late Wednesday night and early Thursday that showed the Pakistani side fabricating a narrative in their support.
In a press brief, the Fact Check Unit compiled the seven instances, debunked them, put the facts straight and slammed the misinformation spread in order to disrupt.
The unit debunked a video claiming to be a drone attack in Jalandhar, noting that it was an unrelated video of a farm fire. The PIB unit also stated that the timeline of the video was posted at 7:39 PM, while the drone attack by Pakistan began much later. The same was backed by the District Collector of Jalandhar

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 PM, while the drone attack began later.

* Do not share this video. See the… pic.twitter.com/IRBjq2KOTQ

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

Another video falsely claimed that a Pakistani army attack destroyed an Indian post, which the fact-check unit debunked, confirming that the video was staged and part of Pakistan's propaganda campaign. The unit noted that there was no "20 Raj Battalion" in the Indian Army, which was shown in the video.

🚨 Staged Video Alert 🚨

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/959rc9OrTH

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

An old video was also shared claiming Pakistan launched a missile attack on India, but the unit identified it as footage from an explosive attack in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2020.

An #old video is being shared on #SocialMedia with the claim that #Pakistan has launched a missile attack on India in retaliation. #PIBFactCheck

✅ 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/G8nIIdn6FG

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

Information about a 'fidayeen' attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, was widely circulated but the fact-check unit confirmed that no such attack occurred, flagging the claim as intended to mislead and cause confusion.
https://x.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1920533172405592286
A purported confidential letter from the Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS), General VK Narayan, regarding military preparedness was debunked, and PIB confirmed that General Narayan is not the CoAS, and the letter was entirely fabricated.

🚨 #Fake_news is circulating about a "fidayeen" attack on an Army brigade in #Rajouri, #Jammu and #Kashmir.#PIBFactCheck:

▶️ 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/x8Az5tigUO

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

In another case of debunking, PIB exposed a baseless claim on social media where it stated that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack Amritsar and its citizens.

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

✅ This letter is completely Fake.

✅ Gen. V.K. Narayan is… pic.twitter.com/OvDxaql3kz

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

Another post alleged entry bans into airports across India, which the Fact Check unit debunked, confirming no such decision was taken by the Union Government.

🛑 Fake News Alert

Social media posts are claiming that entry to airports across India banned#PIBFactCheck:

❌ This claim is #FAKE

✅ Government has taken no such decision pic.twitter.com/MoaUcQqO2d

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

The PIB Fact Check's efforts in debunking fake news and busting myths have been crucial in maintaining public trust and countering attempts to destabilise the nation through misinformation during such times. (ANI)