New Delhi: The Centre informed the Opposition about Pakistan’s propaganda machinery spreading fake news in the wake of Operation Sindoor, at the all-party meeting on Thursday.
“They (Central government in the meeting) said this is all a lie (referring to Pakistan’s claim of destroying Indian jets) and we will be informed about further things,” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge told the media.
A widespread disinformation campaign has been unleashed in an attempt to regain control of the narrative through digital manipulation and unverified claims, particularly by pro-Pakistan social media accounts and influential political figures.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was left red-faced and speechless on live television when countered by CNN’s Becky Anderson after he attributed his country’s claim to have downed five Indian jets – including Rafales – during Operation Sindoor to social media reports.
“It is all on social media, and Indian social media, not our social media. The debris of the jets fell on their side. It is all over the Indian media,” he claimed when pressed for proof.
“…I’m sorry, but we invited you here to discuss verified facts, not social media posts,” the anchor added.
CNN: Where is the evidence of five Indian fighter jets shot down by Pakistan?
Pak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif: It’s all over social media.
Till now no official has confirmed about India losing any Rafale Jet. It is all fake news by Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/s5gZPPgrbH
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) May 7, 2025
In the early hours of Wednesday, the Indian military conducted precision strikes on nine terrorist targets in Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead on April 22.
Soon, the country’s social media flooded the internet with fake news, pushing old and doctored videos in an attempt to create the illusion of a strong counter-response. Pakistan’s top leaders were also not far behind.
Also Read: After Terror Camps, India Dismantles Pakistan’s Coordinated Disinformation Campaign
Speaking to CNN, Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry initially said: “I can confirm that two aircraft of the Indian Air force have been taken down. The locations I have so far are around Bhatinda and Akhnoor in India.”
State broadcaster PTV further reported that the Pakistan Air Force had shot down another Indian Rafale aircraft 17 nautical miles southwest of Awantipora.
Later, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told news agency Reuters that India has lost five planes. And the same was repeated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Parliament, where he claimed that the Pakistani military shot down five Indian jets, including Rafales, and the debris fell near Bhatinda.
Also Read: Pakistan Was Ready To Throw Indian Jets Into The Sea: Shehbaz Sharif [Watch]
