The Government of India, through the Press Information Bureau (PIB), dismissed Pakistani social media claims on Friday that an Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI was shot down in Muzaffarabad and that an Indian pilot had been captured.
PIB’s fact-checking unit confirmed that the image used to support the claim was lifted from an 11-year-old news report. The photo depicts a Sukhoi SU-30MKI that crashed near Kulwadi village on the Pune-Ahmednagar highway in Maharashtra on October 14, 2014.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PIB Fact Check stated, “Fake News Alert Pakistani social media handles are claiming that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI was shot down in Muzaffarabad, capturing an Indian Pilot alive. #PIBFactCheck: This Sukhoi SU-30MKI crashed at Undre Vasti of Kulwadi village near Pune-Ahamad Nagar highway, Maharashtra, on October 14, 2014.”
The post included the original news report to clarify the misuse of the image.
In another instance, Pakistani accounts shared a video claiming to show a heavy Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) barrage as a real attack by Pakistan on India.
PIB also revealed and debunked the claim, stating that the footage came from a video game that has circulated online for over three years.
The post clarified, “Pakistan Propaganda Alert! A video showing a heavy MLRS barrage is being falsely shared as a real Pakistani attack on India. #PIBFactCheck: The video is from a video game and has no connection to the current India-Pakistan situation.”
Kabul Blast Image Misused As Jammu Air Base Explosion
PIB also debunked a photo that falsely claimed to show an explosion at the Jammu Air Force Base.
The image, PIB confirmed, is from the Kabul Airport blast on August 21, 2021.
The PIB post read, “Explosion at Jammu Air Force Base? Here’s the truth! People are circulating an old image with false claims. #PIBFactCheck: The image shows the Kabul Airport blast from August 2021.”
Hazira Port Video Tied To Old Oil Tanker Blast
Another viral video claimed that Pakistan attacked the Hazira Port in Gujarat. PIB clarified that the video showed an oil tanker explosion that occurred on July 7, 2021.
Farm Fire Misrepresented As Drone Strike In Jalandhar
PIB also exposed as fake a video that falsely showed the aftermath of a drone attack in Jalandhar.
PIB explained that the footage depicted a farm fire, and the timestamp on the video contradicted the timing of any actual drone incidents.
Since India launched extensive cross-border strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, Pakistani media, influencers, and government-linked social media handles have spread a wave of disinformation.
The PIB’s fact-checking team continues to expose fake news and urges citizens to verify claims before sharing online.
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