A video circulating on social media platforms, shared widely by several pro-Pakistan handles, falsely claims that the Pakistan Air Force has targeted the Indian Air Force base in Srinagar. The video, which appears to show intense gunfire and chaos, has sparked concerns among social media users and raised alarm in some quarters.
However, the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check (PIB Fact Check) team has categorically dismissed these claims. In an official statement, PIB clarified that the video is neither recent nor from India.
“The video shared is old and NOT from India. It is from sectarian clashes that took place in 2024 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan,” said PIB in a social media post using the hashtag #PIBFactCheck.
The clarification comes in response to a coordinated disinformation campaign, where misleading visuals are often repurposed to spread false narratives about military actions and border tensions. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from forwarding or reacting to such misleading content.
“❌ The video shared is old and NOT from India.
✅ The video is from sectarian clashes in 2024, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan,” PIB stated.
The Government of India has consistently emphasized the importance of relying on verified and official channels for news, especially related to national security and defense matters. Misinformation of this nature can not only create unnecessary panic but also poses a threat to national unity and public order.
Citizens are advised to:
- Verify any viral content before sharing.
- Follow only official Government handles and trusted media for accurate updates.
- Report any suspicious or misleading content to relevant authorities.
This latest attempt at misinformation highlights the ongoing challenges faced in the digital information landscape, where fabricated narratives can spread rapidly.
For any updates related to national security, PIB and the Ministry of Defence remain the most reliable sources.