In the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian Armed Forces in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, a barrage of misinformation has emanated from Pakistani media outlets and government-affiliated sources. The Indian military has firmly addressed these misleading claims, emphasizing its commitment to peace while asserting its readiness to defend the nation's sovereignty.

Following the coordinated missile strikes on nine identified terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), numerous Pakistani channels and social media accounts circulated unverified claims. These included false assertions of retaliatory missile strikes at 15 locations inside India, attacks on Srinagar Airbase by the Pakistan Air Force, and the destruction of an Indian Army Brigade Headquarters. These claims were disseminated on social media platforms, particularly by accounts aligned with Pakistan's military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). However, no credible evidence has been provided to support these assertions.

Indian military officials addressed Pakistan's misinformation campaign in a press briefing, refuting claims of damage to Indian military installations, including S-400 systems, BrahMos bases, and airfields. They detailed Pakistan's losses, including damage to air bases, air defense systems, and military infrastructure. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army, during the briefing, strongly dismissed Islamabad's claims of damaging several key military assets of India. She specifically refuted assertions about the destruction of S-400 and BrahMos bases, as well as airfields in Sirsa, Jammu, Pathankot, Bathinda, Naliya, and Bhuj, stating that these claims were baseless. Claims of damage to ammunition depots in Chandigarh and Beas were also dismissed as unfounded.

The Indian Armed Forces have also refuted fabricated allegations that they targeted mosques. Colonel Qureshi emphasized India's secular values and asserted that the armed forces uphold constitutional values and have not caused any harm to religious structures. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh reiterated that Indian operations strictly targeted terrorist facilities and not civilian or religious infrastructure, calling Pakistan's claims about targeting mosques completely unfounded.

India has adopted a multi-pronged approach to counter Pakistan's disinformation campaign. This includes timely and accurate fact-checking with visual evidence. A dedicated team traces the origins of misleading videos and confirms the real dates and contexts of recycled images. The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) fact-checks are shared through various channels to counter Pakistan's propaganda. Press briefings by the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence share verifiable evidence and keep the public informed.

Furthermore, India's counter-campaign reveals systemic flaws in Pakistan's military infrastructure. It highlights that Pakistan's military functions more like a corporate buyer of foreign weapons than a coherent warfighting machine. The Indian Army officially released a video confirming the shooting down of Pakistani drones along the western border in a retaliatory move.

Commodore Raghu R Nair stated that the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force have been instructed to fully adhere to the ceasefire understanding. He added that false narratives from across the border were being countered with facts and transparency. Commodore Nair also asserted that India would adhere to the understanding reached but any future escalation would invite a decisive response.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri strongly refuted Pakistan's allegations that India would attack its own cities, calling such claims a "deranged fantasy". He clarified that India's military actions during Operation Sindoor were a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack. He emphasized that India's strikes were precise, targeted only terror camps, and avoided civilian or military facilities. Misri also addressed the disinformation about India targeting the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, calling it a blatant lie and part of Pakistan's disinformation campaign to impart a communal hue to the situation.