The recent 100-hour conflict between India and Pakistan has been marred by a significant amount of misinformation, with both sides trading accusations and denials. As tensions soared following India's "Operation Sindoor" targeting alleged terrorist camps within Pakistan in retaliation for an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, a parallel battle unfolded online, characterized by fabricated claims and doctored images. India has hit back at what it says are false narratives propagated by Pakistan.
Here are some of the major claims made by Pakistan during the conflict, and India's responses:
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Claim: Destruction of Indian S-400 Missile System.
- Pakistan's Narrative: Pakistan's state-run broadcaster PTV, along with China's Xinhua news agency via Global Times, initially spread information suggesting the destruction of an Indian S-400 air defense system.
- India's Response: Indian defense officials categorically denied these reports. The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check Unit issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), dismissing the viral posts as fake and baseless. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force also refuted the claim.
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Claim: India Attacked Nankana Sahib Gurdwara.
- Pakistan's Narrative: Videos circulated alleging that India carried out a drone strike on the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan, a sacred site for Sikhs.
- India's Response: The Indian government, through its PIB’s Fact Check Unit, dismissed the claim as entirely fabricated.
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Claim: Cyberattack Shut Down 70% of India's Electricity Grid.
- Pakistan's Narrative: Assertions were made of a large-scale cyberattack allegedly launched by Pakistan, which purportedly shut down 70% of India's electricity grid.
- India's Response: PIB reiterated that this claim was false, urging citizens to remain vigilant and verify news from official sources.
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Claim: Downing of Multiple Indian Fighter Jets.
- Pakistan's Narrative: Pakistan's military claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets in India's Punjab state and Indian-administered Kashmir. They also claimed to have shot down twelve Indian drones in various locations.
- India's Response: India acknowledged the loss of at least two warplanes inside its borders but did not elaborate on the cause of the crashes. India has not confirmed the downing of five fighter jets, and has said that the neutralised threats had "no casualties or material losses".
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Claim: India Targeted Civilian Infrastructure.
- Pakistan's Narrative: Pakistan accused India of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including schools and medical centers. They also claimed that 31 civilians were killed, including a three-year-old girl.
- India's Response: India argued that its forces specifically attacked only enemy military installations and that Pakistan was resorting to a "cowardly act" by targeting civilian areas. India has also accused Pakistan of "arbitrary firing" that killed civilians.
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Claim: Ceasefire Violations by India.
- Pakistan's Narrative: Following the ceasefire agreement, Pakistan claimed that India had committed violations in "some areas" and that its troops were "handling the situation with responsibility and restraint".
- India's Response: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of repeated violations of the ceasefire understanding and said that the Indian armed forces were giving an "adequate and appropriate" response to the attacks.
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Claim: No Involvement in Pahalgam Attack.
- Pakistan's Narrative: Pakistan has denied any involvement in the April 22 attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people. They have called for an independent probe.
- India's Response: India has consistently blamed Pakistan-based armed groups for the attack, accusing Pakistan of backing the perpetrators. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India has credible evidence pointing towards the clear involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists.
The spread of misinformation during the conflict has been a major concern, with both sides using social media to propagate their narratives. India's Ministry of Defence has accused Pakistan of making "several attempts" to spread misinformation. The Indian government has been actively monitoring and countering Pakistan's disinformation campaign with real-time debunks and fact-checks. It has urged citizens to remain vigilant and verify news from official sources.
