As tensions between India and Pakistan mount in the aftermath of attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the battlefield has extended beyond the Line of Control (LoC) with a parallel and no less dangerous front opened on Indian media and social media feeds.
The latest escalation in the decades-old Pakistan-India rivalry began on May 7 when at least 31 civilians were killed in an unprovoked Indian cross-border attack. In retaliation, Pakistan downed its five fighter jets, including three Rafale, and dozens of drones.
Meanwhile, India continues to send drones into Pakistani territory, with the military shooting down nearly 80, including Israeli-made IAI Heron — medium-altitude, long-endurance — unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
In a state of panic, several prominent Indian news networks unleashed a coordinated barrage of false claims, fueling nationalist hysteria and manufacturing a fictional narrative of overwhelming Indian victories and Pakistani collapse.
Indian media claimed that India shot down two Pakistani fighter jets and captured one of its pilots. Some news outlets also accused Pakistan of launching attacks on Pathankot, Jaisalmer, and Srinagar.
However, the government of Pakistan categorically rejected the baseless and irresponsible allegations propagated by the Indian media, saying: “These claims are entirely unfounded, politically motivated, and part of a reckless propaganda campaign aimed at maligning Pakistan.”
The channel DNA, for example, posted a bombastic update on its official X account proclaiming: “India attacks Pakistani Capital Islamabad!” The post was later quietly deleted without explanation.
Zee News took the falsehood a step further, asserting that Pakistan’s capital had been “occupied” by Indian forces. Meanwhile, Aaj Tak staged a dramatic simulation of a military strike on Karachi Port, presenting it as a real-time offensive. India Today followed suit, claiming attacks on both Lahore and Karachi.
Zee News went further still, airing graphics declaring that the Pakistani military had surrendered and several major cities had fallen to Indian control. The segment simultaneously portrayed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as hiding in a bunker while also surrendering — both images aired within moments of each other.
Anchors Anjana Om Kashyap and Shweta Singh, from Aaj Tak, joined the disinformation campaign with alarming reports of alleged suicide bombings in Pathankot and Rajouri — both of which remain completely fictional.
The fabricated reports were so excessive and absurd that they sparked backlash from within India itself. Notably, Indian commentator and author Basant Maheshwari publicly apologised for sharing unverified news:
“I have NEVER deleted tweets but today I am deleting all tweets that I made without verifying the claims of our Indian media channels. I feel sad not because of tweeting but more so because I [wrongly] believed what I saw!”
