A photo of the President with Sq. Ldr. Shivangi went viral — not just for its historic significance but also because it debunked Pakistan’s earlier false claim that Shivangi had been captured during “Operation Sindoor.”
India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) had already dismissed Pakistan’s claim months ago as fabricated propaganda. Now, the viral photo of Shivangi with the President stands as a direct rebuttal to Islamabad’s misinformation campaign.
However, the “captured pilot” hoax was just one of several false claims Pakistan made during Operation Sindoor. Here are the four other major fabrications that were later exposed:
1. False claim: Capturing Sq. Ldr. Shivangi Singh
On May 8, 2025, Pakistan’s military and media outlets claimed that the Pakistan Army had captured Indian fighter pilot Shivangi Singh after shooting down a Rafale near Sialkot.
Social media was flooded with fake videos — including one showing a doctored IAF Chief’s statement — claiming the pilot had been caught.
India’s PIB swiftly debunked the claim as “fabricated fakery.” Months later, Shivangi’s presence alongside President Murmu proved the propaganda completely false.
2. False claim: Shooting down 7 Indian fighter jets, including Rafale
Pakistani media circulated videos and “news reports” claiming their Air Force had downed at least five to seven Indian aircraft, including Rafales.
Some videos even used AI-generated clips portraying the Indian Air Chief “admitting losses.”
The PIB Fact Check team called out the videos as doctored, confirming that no Indian aircraft was lost in Operation Sindoor.
3. False claim: Destroying India’s Brigade Headquarters
Another viral video shared by pro-Pakistan social media accounts claimed that Pakistan had attacked India’s Brigade HQ in Srinagar.
India’s PIB again clarified that the footage was fake, urging people not to spread unverified information and to rely only on official government updates.
4. False claim: Airstrike on Srinagar Airbase
Several Pakistani accounts circulated old footage, falsely claiming the Srinagar Airbase had been hit by Pakistan Air Force strikes.
Fact-checkers later found that the video actually originated from sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in 2024 — not from India.
The PIB Fact Check confirmed the video’s real source and categorically denied any such strike on Indian bases.
A photo that silenced propaganda
The image of President Murmu stepping out of the Rafale jet with Sq. Ldr. Shivangi Singh served as a powerful counter to Pakistan’s false narrative — reaffirming both India’s air power and the integrity of its armed forces in the face of misinformation
