Recent social media claims have falsely asserted that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated India informed Pakistan before initiating Operation Sindoor. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit has officially debunked this claim, clarifying that Jaishankar was misquoted and did not make such a statement.

This clarification comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, which involved coordinated missile strikes by the Indian armed forces on terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes were reportedly a response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people in Baisaran Valley.

In addition to the claim regarding pre-operation notification, the PIB has also addressed other instances of misinformation circulating online. These include false reports of a captured female Indian Air Force pilot, the destruction of the Bathinda airfield, and a doctored video depicting Jaishankar apologizing. The PIB has confirmed that the female pilot was not captured, the Bathinda airfield is fully operational and undamaged, and the video of Jaishankar is an AI-generated fake. The PIB also debunked claims that Chinese satellites aided Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

The Indian government has pointed out that much of the misinformation originates from Pakistani media and social media accounts and appears to be a coordinated effort to undermine the impact of India's counter-terrorism operations. The PIB has urged citizens to remain vigilant and verify information before sharing it to avoid contributing to the spread of false narratives. The circulation of misinformation is particularly dangerous during times of increased tension, as it can further destabilize the situation and incite unrest. The PIB's fact-checking initiative aims to combat this by providing accurate information and debunking false claims as quickly as possible.