Amid the crucial conflict-like situation between India and Pakistan, misinformation was one of the major concerns. The Pakistani establishment, as well as citizens, continued to spread false information across social media related to Indians and the Indian Armed Forces.
According to the Indian authorities, it was clear that the Pakistani government was spreading these lies and misinformation with the motive of earning sympathy from the world and to paint a nice and flattering image. However, a detailed investigation of all these facts has clarified that all these claims are fake.
While addressing this fact, an anonymous official highlighted, “Pakistan is running a widespread campaign full of lies targeting India, using both official channels and social media to incite communal unrest, spread false reports about military events, cause panic among Indian citizens, and create international confusion regarding India's actions.”
Claim 1 - India has attacked the Nanakana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan
Fact: This claim by the government of Pakistan was debunked by the authorities of India. While blasting this claim by Pakistan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that these claims were spread to mislead the world.
Minister Misri could be quoted as saying, "Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claim that it was the Indian Armed Forces and the Indian Air Force that were targeting cities like Amritsar and trying to put the blame on India. This is nothing but a desperate attempt by Pakistan to disown its acts of aggression. But it is also true to type in its effort to deceive and mislead the world. It will not succeed.”
Claim 2: India fired missiles at Amritsar
Fact: One of the misleading pieces of information was shared by Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), who outlined that India fired missiles on Amritsar.
However, this claim was debunked by Foreign Secretary Misri, who called it out as a “lame attempt.” He mentioned, “Pakistani officials also continue to make ludicrous claims about India firing missiles towards Shri Amritsar Sahib. As I said, these lame attempts to divide India are doomed to failure.”
Claim 3: Pakistan has destroyed Indian bases
Fact: Various social media platforms of Pakistan, including a news channel, PTV, have claimed that the Pakistan Air Force has destroyed various Indian bases, such as Gujrat, Uri, Nagrota, Rajouri, Bathinda, and Akhnoor.
But this statement was debunked by the Indian authorities and the Foreign Secretary.
Claim 4: India fired missiles at Afghanistan and Iran
Mr Misri outlined that this is a false claim which was spread by the Pakistani authorities to create panic among the citizens.
While addressing this concern, the foreign secretary mentioned, “There is this completely ludicrous claim that Indian missiles have hit Afghanistan. Totally frivolous allegation. And I only want to point out that Afghan people don't need to be reminded about which country it is that has, on multiple occasions in just the last one and a half years, targeted civilian populations and civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan.”
PIB Fact Checks -
It is to be noted that the details about these claims were debunked by the Press Information Bureau’s fact-check unit, and they shared information about the same on social media.
Along with this, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence also kept informing people about what was actually going on.