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Pakistan spreads lies on ATM closures, Air Force base attack & more: Here's the truth you need to know

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The Economic Timespublisher-detail-arrow
09th May, 2025 11:09 IST
A coordinated disinformation campaign has emerged online, aiming to mislead Indian citizens and provoke alarm, as Pakistan attempts to target key locations along India's western borders, near the Line of Control (LoC), the International Borders, and parts of the states of Punjab, Rajasthan and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit on Friday has identified and debunked a new set of viral posts and videos that falsely claim damage to Indian infrastructure or military assets. Most of these posts have originated from Pakistani handles.

Below is a summary of key disinformation claims and PIB’s fact-checks:

Also read: Pakistan's lies & the truth: Here's what you need to know

Fact-check 1: ATMs will be closed? False
A viral WhatsApp message claimed that ATMs across India would be shut for several days.
PIB confirmed that the claim is entirely false. ATMs are functioning normally, and there has been no such advisory from any authority.


Fact-check 2: Explosions at Jammu Air Force Base? Misleading
An old image was circulated online, claiming multiple explosions had occurred at the Jammu Air Force Base.
This claim was found to be misleading. The image in question was unrelated to the current situation, and no such incident took place at the base.


Fact-check 3: Attack on Hazira Port in Gujarat? Wrong
A video went viral alleging that Hazira Port in Gujarat had come under attack.
This claim is false. The video actually depicts an oil tanker explosion that occurred in July 2021 and has no connection to recent events.


Fact-check 4: Drone strike in Jalandhar? False
A video showing a supposed drone attack in Jalandhar is being widely circulated.
PIB clarified that the footage is of a farm fire and does not depict any drone strike. The accompanying image being shared with the video was identified as a photo from the Kabul Airport blast in August 2021.



Fact-check 5: Destruction of an Indian Army post? Debunked
Pakistani social media accounts shared a video alleging that the Pakistani Army had destroyed an Indian military post.
This claim was debunked as entirely false. PIB pointed out that the video is staged and fabricated. There is no unit in the Indian Army called the “20 Raj Battalion,” as referenced in the video.



Fact-check 6: Pakistan's missile attack? Wrongful claim
A video was shared online suggesting that Pakistan had launched a missile attack on India.
PIB confirmed the video actually shows the 2020 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, and is not linked to any military activity between India and Pakistan.


Fact-check 7: Airports across India have been closed? Untrue

Social media posts claimed that access to airports across the country had been restricted.
This claim is fake. PIB stated that no such decision has been taken by the government.


Disinformation amid escalating cross-border attacks
These false claims come against the backdrop of a major escalation in hostilities. On Thursday night, Pakistan launched a wave of attacks using drones and loitering munitions targeting Indian military and civilian locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan.

Indian forces successfully neutralised over 50 drones in coordinated air defence operations in areas including Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, and Pathankot.

The Pakistani Army also violated the ceasefire by firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri, Kupwara, Tangdhar, and Karnah. Eight missiles aimed at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia were intercepted by Indian defence units.

Operation Sindoor India Pakistan Live: Police, Army launch search operation in Pathankot

Jammu city and other regions were placed under temporary blackouts, and air raid sirens were activated as a precaution. Indian air defence units responded swiftly, using kinetic and non-kinetic means to intercept incoming threats.

Drones were also intercepted in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, and blackouts were imposed in Bikaner and Punjab’s Jalandhar. Security measures across the country have been intensified, with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security instructing heightened alert levels at airports.

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