Operation Sindoor has not only rattled the terror networks in Pakistan but has also shaken the narratives of many anti-national forces active in the country. The message of the operation remains loud and clear: terror has no space to survive in the current times, regardless of its form. However, several media houses, known for their false propaganda, continue to spread misleading narratives during this critical time. Instead of supporting their nation, they cling to their propaganda.
This report highlights not only such biased news portals but also individuals living in India who speak like representatives of Pakistan, seemingly forgetting the brutal attack on April 22, where innocent people were killed solely for being Hindus.
Instance 1: On May 7, while the nation was celebrating the success of Operation Sindoor, The Hindu posted a misleading update from its social media handle on X. The post read, “At least three Indian jets have crashed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor, Ramban, and Pampore areas, a government official told The Hindu. A journalist named Vijeta was quoted as the source of this information.”
However, an active social media influencer known as “The Skin Doctor” fact-checked The Hindu and clarified: “This is not a fighter jet but a drop tank, also known as a wing tank. These tanks are carried externally on jets to enhance their range and can be jettisoned (dropped) when no longer needed, such as to reduce weight or drag during maneuvers or in escape or emergency situations.”
Look at the kind of propaganda Indian media spreads on behalf of Pakistan, without even verifying. Whether it’s intentional or not, you decide.
They deleted it after my reply.@AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/uGxHb3L6oo
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) May 7, 2025
Following the fact-check, The Hindu discreetly deleted the post. Sharing a screenshot, The Skin Doctor commented, “Look at the kind of propaganda Indian media spreads on behalf of Pakistan, without even verifying. Whether it’s intentional or not, you decide.” Despite the controversy, The Hindu did not issue an apology or clarification.
Just a ‘regret’ for peddling Pakistani fake propaganda news. Not even an apology. @the_hindu and @vijaita are old fake news peddlers. Is the @MIB_India going to do anything at all? @AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/Q9sSkR2t6j
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) May 7, 2025
Later in the day, The Hindu posted an apology stating the post created confusion among readers.
Instance 2: Another noted journalist, Rana Ayyub, shared a post on X, citing a Bloomberg report titled, “India Strikes Pakistan After Kashmir Attacks. Pakistan Says It Has Shot Down Five Indian Planes, Taken Soldiers Prisoner.” While India celebrated the success of the operation and the smooth return of its soldiers, Ayyub was seen echoing Pakistan’s propaganda. She also reshared a post by Suhasini Haider, Diplomatic Editor at The Hindu, which stated: “Pakistan Dy PM and FM confirm Indian strikes on Bahawalpur, Muridke, and locations in PoK, saying Pakistan will respond ‘appropriately’.”
“India Strikes Pakistan After Kashmir Attacks. Pakistan Says It Has Shot Down Five Indian Planes, Taken Soldiers Prisoner” https://t.co/4l7SwuN8Fr
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) May 7, 2025
Instance 3: A social media handle named “VaishnaRoy” posted an objectionable comment on X: “On principle, I strongly object to labelling it Operation Sindoor. It reeks of patriarchy, ownership of women, honour killing, chastity, sanctifying marriage, and similar Hindutva obsessions.” Vaishna Roy, an editor at Frontline, faced backlash and eventually locked her profile.
Such a coward @vaishnaroy, locked her profile and ran away! pic.twitter.com/IcqgWBtKu9
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) May 7, 2025
Instance 4: Following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians (primarily Hindus), The Times of India referred to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoJK) as “Indian Controlled Kashmir” in its publication. Calling this out, activist Kanchan Gupta tweeted: “Terrible to see @timesofindia towing the Pakistani line and describing India’s UT of Jammu & Kashmir as ‘Indian Controlled Kashmir’. Reflects poorly on the Times Group’s editorial leadership.”
Terrible to see @timesofindia towing the Pakistani line and describing India’s UT of Jammu & Kashmir as “Indian Controlled Kashmir”.
Reflects extremely poorly on the Times Group, on editorial leadership and on newsdesk.
If it is considered policy, then totally condemnable. pic.twitter.com/RszSFNLkfF— Kanchan Gupta 🇮🇳 (@KanchanGupta) April 25, 2025
Deccan Herald also made a similar mistake, citing a syndicated article from The New York Times, but later issued a disclaimer clarifying that the views did not reflect those of the outlet. The post read: “Disclaimer: This is a syndicated article provided by The New York Times. An earlier version, published on our website, carried descriptions of Kashmir not in keeping with India’s position. We have subsequently edited them out. The views expressed in syndicated articles are not the views of Deccan Herald. They are carried in the interest of discussion and debate. DH holds India’s armed forces in the greatest regard. Thank you.”
Disclaimer: This is a syndicated article provided by The New York Times. An earlier version, published on our website, carried descriptions of Kashmir not in keeping with India’s position. We have subsequently edited them out. The views expressed in syndicated articles are not…
— Deccan Herald (@DeccanHerald) May 6, 2025
Similarly, on April 27, Sportskeeda promoted a false Pakistani narrative regarding Jammu and Kashmir, labeling the integral part of India as ‘Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK).’
The sports and esports news platform made this contentious statement in social media posts that appeared on both Facebook and Instagram. The term ‘Indian Occupied Kashmir’ is commonly used by extremists in Pakistan to justify acts of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, presenting them as a form of resistance against the Indian government.
Amid widespread outrage, Sportskeeda issued an apology, stating: “We regret an error in our recent post where we referred to Kashmir with incorrect terminology. It was an oversight at our end, and we apologise for hurting anyone’s sentiments and causing any harm. We respect India’s sovereignty over Kashmir and acknowledge it as an integral part of India. Sportskeeda has always been proudly Indian and has consistently strived to build a multi-sport culture in the country. We strive for accuracy and sensitivity in our content. We appreciate your understanding and feedback in helping us improve. We have taken stern action against the person responsible for creating this post. Thank you for holding us accountable.”
April 4, 2022 Instance: On April 4, the English Daily The Times of India shared a wrong map of Pakistan in which they had given away Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to Pakistan. The report was about the increasing crisis in the neighbouring country, and while talking about the possibility of economic crisis and strategic weakness, Times of India shared the wrong map of Pakistan.
A day after netizens pointed out that The Times of India had included the Indian territory of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the map of Pakistan, the news publication did not bother to remove the contentious image from its social media handles.
The cartoon that TOI published in the tweet covered a significant portion of J&K and Ladakh (Gilgit-Baltistan). The portion of Kashmir that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan and China is an integral part of India.
This is not the first instance where a news agency has portrayed an incorrect map depicting PoK as part of Pakistan. Similar blunders have been made in the past by India Today, CNN, Aaj Tak, Google, and Twitter. In April 2020, India Today aired a distorted map of India during a show hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai.
Back in August 2017, CNN displayed the wrong map of India on Independence Day, which was subsequently corrected after public outrage. Similarly, in December 2020, Aaj Tak broadcasted an incorrect map of India while discussing the Bharat Bandh. In June 2021, BBC also aired a distorted map while covering the Delta variant of Covid-19.
During the same month, Google published an incorrect map that depicted Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin as separate entities, not as parts of the Indian Union. Twitter, too, repeated the error by displaying a distorted map of India on its website’s career section. Notably, Twitter has faced criticism multiple times for similar inaccuracies.
These instances of media misreporting and amplifying narratives aligned with Pakistan’s stance, either through misleading maps or unfounded claims, raise serious concerns about journalistic integrity and national responsibility. In the face of terror attacks that have cost countless innocent lives, such lapses not only hurt national sentiment but also risk undermining the collective resolve against terrorism. As India continues to counter terror with precision and resolve, media outlets must exercise caution and responsibility, ensuring accurate and balanced reporting that aligns with the nation’s interests.
These incidents raise concerns about how certain portals have reported and downplayed the recent attacks on Hindus in Pahalgam. This correspondent has prepared a detailed analysis report exposing their false narratives. Readers can access the full report here.
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