The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has refuted claims circulating on social media that an Indian Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. The bureau’s fact-check unit has labelled the claims as false, countering a wave of misinformation amid escalating regional tensions.
Several pro-Pakistan social media handles had claimed that Squadron Leader Shivani Singh had been taken captive in Pakistan, triggering a flurry of speculation online.
Refuting the claim, the PIB stated, “Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. #PIBFactCheck. This claim is FAKE.”
The bureau also addressed a widely shared video purportedly showing Indian soldiers in distress, allegedly abandoning their posts amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
Clarifying the context, it stated, “In an old video, it is being claimed that Indian soldiers are crying and abandoning their posts as the India-Pakistan war intensifies. This video was posted on Instagram on April 27 and is NOT related to the Indian Army! The video depicts students from a private defence coaching institute celebrating their selection into the Indian Army. The youth in the video reportedly became emotional with joy upon receiving news of their successful recruitment.”
In another instance, the PIB fact-check team debunked claims suggesting that explosions were heard at Jaipur Airport. It clarified, “Claims are circulating that explosions were heard at Jaipur Airport. These claims are FAKE. Here is the clarification from the District Collector & Magistrate, Jaipur.”
Additionally, the PIB dismissed reports alleging the destruction of an Indian military post. The fact-check team highlighted that the video in question was not recent, stating, “Social Media post falsely claims that an Indian post has been destroyed. The claim is Fake. This video is old and NOT related to any activity post Operation Sindoor. The video was originally uploaded on YouTube on 15 Nov 2020.”
The recent surge in misinformation has been attributed to heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, with both sides ramping up their information warfare efforts alongside conventional military operations.
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