In the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, misinformation has been rampant on social media platforms. The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Indian government's official fact-checking agency, has been actively debunking numerous false claims and videos circulating online, aiming to maintain public order and prevent the spread of panic.
One of the first videos to be debunked by the PIB was a claim of a "drone strike" in Jalandhar. This video, which quickly went viral, was clarified to be an unrelated video of a farm fire. The PIB Fact Check unit emphasized that the video was recorded at 7:39 PM, while the drone activity in Jalandhar began later, around 11:20 PM, and that authorities were handling the situation. Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal also confirmed that the video was not related to any drone attack and appealed to the public to avoid spreading false news.
Another significant piece of misinformation addressed by the PIB was a video alleging a "missile attack on India" by Pakistan. This video, shared widely with the hashtag "Operation Sindoor," falsely depicted missiles striking targets. The PIB's investigation revealed that the video was taken out of context and was, in fact, footage of Iranian missiles hitting Israel, dating back several months. The original video was also found to include the logo of Indian broadcaster DD India, further misleading viewers into believing it was recent footage from the conflict.
The PIB also tackled claims of an attack on Gujarat's Hazira Port. A video circulating on social media suggested that the port had been targeted; however, the PIB confirmed that the video was an unrelated clip of an oil tanker explosion from July 7, 2021. The fact-check urged people not to share the video and to rely on official sources for accurate information.
Adding to the series of fact-checks, the PIB debunked a video that claimed the Pakistan Army had destroyed an Indian post. The PIB clarified that the claim was false and the video was staged. They also pointed out that there is no unit called "20 Raj Battalion" in the Indian Army, further discrediting the video. The PIB identified this as part of a coordinated propaganda campaign aimed at misleading the public.
Furthermore, the PIB addressed false claims of Pakistani strikes on the Amritsar military base. It clarified that a video being circulated was actually footage of a wildfire from 2024 and cautioned against sharing unverified information. Similarly, the agency refuted claims that the Pakistan Air Force had targeted Srinagar Airbase, sharing that the video was from sectarian clashes in Pakistan in 2024. The PIB also debunked an image circulating that claimed a Pakistani missile had struck an Indian S-400 missile defense system, clarifying that the image was from 2023 and showed a fire at a military site in Moscow.
These fact-checks by the PIB highlight the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media, especially during times of conflict and heightened tensions. The proactive role of government agencies in dispelling misinformation is crucial in preventing panic and maintaining public trust in accurate news.
