In the wake of recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, social media has been rife with claims that the United States military utilized Indian airspace to carry out the operation, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer." However, these claims have been thoroughly debunked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit, the Indian government's official fact-checking body.
Numerous social media posts alleged that US forces, specifically B-2 stealth bombers, traversed Indian airspace en route to bombing Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow facility. These claims gained traction rapidly, fueled by heightened geopolitical tensions and speculation surrounding the operation's flight path.
The PIB Fact Check unit swiftly responded to the viral claims, labeling them as "FAKE" in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The unit asserted unequivocally that "Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation #MidnightHammer." This firm denial aimed to quell the misinformation and prevent India from being drawn into the escalating conflict, even indirectly.
Adding further weight to the denial, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, addressed the issue during a press briefing. General Caine clarified that US aircraft followed a route based in the Middle East and Mediterranean, explicitly stating that they did not fly over South Asian airspace, including India. He presented a detailed map and timeline of Operation Midnight Hammer, which further corroborated the fact that no US aircraft entered Indian airspace. According to General Caine, the operation commenced at approximately 6:40 PM EST (2:10 am Iran time) with B-2 bombers dropping GBU 57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) weapons on the Fordow nuclear facility.
The swift response from both the Indian government and the US military underscores the importance of accurate information dissemination during times of international tension. The spread of misinformation can have serious consequences, potentially inflaming tensions and complicating diplomatic relations. India, which has traditionally maintained strong ties with both the United States and Iran, is keen to avoid being perceived as taking sides in the conflict and is urging de-escalation and diplomatic solutions.
The incident also highlights the growing role of fact-checking organizations in combating the spread of fake news and misinformation, particularly on social media platforms. The PIB Fact Check unit's prompt and decisive action played a crucial role in dispelling the rumors and preventing them from further escalating.
