Amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, a wave of misinformation has been circulating online, with recent claims of an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot being captured by Pakistani forces. These claims, propagated by pro-Pakistan social media handles, have been refuted by the Indian government and the IAF as baseless and false.

The false claims specifically targeted Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, a female officer in the IAF, alleging her capture by Pakistani authorities. The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check unit has officially debunked these claims, stating that "Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured". The PIB also refuted claims of attacks on air bases in Nagrota and Bhatinda, further highlighting the disinformation campaign.

This incident is not isolated, as it follows a pattern of misinformation and propaganda originating from Pakistani state agencies. These agencies have been accused of spreading false claims about attacks on Indian military installations, including the destruction of an S-400 air defense system. These claims have also been proven false.

The spread of misinformation has prompted the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to issue an advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant and verify information before sharing it online. This advisory underscores the importance of cybersecurity precautions and avoiding the spread of panic-inducing messages.

The current situation echoes a similar incident in February 2019, when Pakistan initially claimed to have captured two IAF pilots, only to later retract the statement and confirm the custody of one pilot. This occurred after a direct aerial battle between Indian and Pakistani fighter jets, following India's air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Balakot, Pakistan.

During the 2019 incident, the captured pilot was identified as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. India strongly protested Pakistan's display of the injured pilot and demanded his immediate and safe return, emphasizing the violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

The recent surge in misinformation coincides with increased tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after India's retaliatory actions following a terror attack. The PIB has identified a broader disinformation effort by Pakistan, including the use of doctored visuals, fake letters, manipulated videos, and false casualty reports.

In light of these events, the Indian government has urged citizens to rely on verified information from credible sources and to avoid spreading unconfirmed reports. The IAF has also reiterated its commitment to providing accurate information and dispelling false narratives.