The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on May 10, swiftly debunked a series of misleading social media posts alleging that Pakistan had carried out a cyberattack on India’s electricity grid and a drone attack on the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, amidst a spate of similar fake news. The government clarified that these claims were entirely false and cautioned the public to remain vigilant against misinformation, particularly amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
In an official statement shared on its social media platforms, the PIB’s Fact Check Unit said, “Social media posts are asserting that a cyber attack by #Pakistan has caused 70% of India’s electricity grid to become dysfunctional.” The unit confirmed, “This claim is FAKE,” and urged citizens to “remain vigilant and do not fall for panic-inducing misinformation.”
Rise in Misinformation Amid Tensions
The false claims surfaced in the wake of India’s precision airstrikes on terrorist camps across the border as part of Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The cross-border strikes, aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, triggered a wave of misleading posts from Pakistani social media accounts, seeking to provoke unrest and confusion.
PIB’s Fact Check Unit investigated several videos circulated on social media between late Wednesday and early Thursday, which falsely claimed that the Indian power grid had collapsed due to a cyber attack. The videos also suggested that the Mumbai-Delhi airline route had been temporarily closed, and that India had carried out a drone strike on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara. After thorough verification, PIB dismissed all these allegations as baseless.
🚨 Attention: False Claim Circulating Online! 🚨
Social media posts are asserting that a cyber attack by #Pakistan has caused 70% of India’s electricity grid to become dysfunctional.#PIBFactCheck
❌This claim is #FAKE#IndiaFightsPropaganda pic.twitter.com/8Gcmcm4vYq
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
Ministry Advisory and Response
Following the spread of these false narratives, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a cybersecurity advisory, reminding citizens to be cautious online. “Critical Online Safety Alert: Always follow cybersecurity precautions. Stay cautious while online—don’t fall for traps or misinformation. Be patriotic, stay vigilant, stay safe. #Digitalindia #OperationSindoor,” MeitY stated.
The PIB also refuted claims that India had attacked the Nankana Sahib gurdwara, a sacred Sikh site located in Pakistan’s Punjab province and the birthplace of Guru Nanak. The PIB emphasised that such false reports were being deliberately circulated to incite communal discord.
Other False Claims Circulated
In the midst of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, social media has been flooded with false and misleading information aimed at causing panic and confusion. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India has taken the lead in debunking these fake news claims, urging citizens to remain vigilant and avoid sharing unverified content.
Fake News 1: Indian Soldiers Crying and Abandoning Posts
A viral video circulating on social media claims that Indian soldiers, overwhelmed by the intensity of the India-Pakistan conflict, were seen crying and abandoning their posts. The video, however, is an old and unrelated clip that has been falsely linked to recent events. The PIB Fact Check team has categorically declared this claim as fake and baseless.
Fake News 2: Explosions Near Srinagar Airport
Al Jazeera, an international news outlet, reported that ten explosions took place near Srinagar Airport. However, the PIB has confirmed that this information is completely false. No such incident has taken place, and the report has been flagged as misleading.
Fake News 3: Explosion Near Jaipur Airport
Another false claim doing the rounds on social media is that there was an explosion near Jaipur Airport. This rumour has also been debunked, as no such explosion has occurred. The PIB has clarified that the airport remains fully operational, and the claim lacks any factual basis.
Fake News 4: Indian Post Destroyed by Pakistan
Social media posts have also alleged that a military post of the Indian Army was destroyed by Pakistan. This claim has been dismissed as completely fake. The Indian Army has confirmed that no such incident took place, and the post in question remains intact.
Fake News 5: Delhi-Mumbai Airline Route Closed
There was widespread speculation on social media that the Delhi-Mumbai airline route had been temporarily closed. The Airports Authority of India and the PIB have both clarified that this claim is entirely false. The route is fully operational and has not faced any interruptions.
Fake News 6: Drone Attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara
Another major false claim being circulated suggests that India conducted a drone attack on the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. The PIB has unequivocally stated that this is completely false and baseless. Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, holds significant religious importance, and no such incident has occurred.
सोशल मीडिया पर साझा किए गए एक वीडियो में दावा किया जा रहा है कि भारत ने ननकाना साहिब गुरुद्वारे पर ड्रोन हमला किया है। #PIBFactCheck
❌यह दावा पूरी तरह फर्जी है।
▶️ सांप्रदायिक विद्वेष फैलाने के लिए ऐसे कंटेन्ट बनाए जाते हैं।
▶️ कृपया सतर्क रहें। ऐसे वीडियो फॉरवर्ड न करें।… pic.twitter.com/59omIJx9r6
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
Fake News 7: Cyberattack on India’s Power Grid
Social media posts have alleged that a cyberattack by Pakistan resulted in 70% of India’s electricity grid becoming dysfunctional. The Ministry of Power and PIB have labelled this claim as entirely false. The power grid remains unaffected, and no disruptions have been reported.
🚨 Attention: False Claim Circulating Online! 🚨
Social media posts are asserting that a cyber attack by #Pakistan has caused 70% of India’s electricity grid to become dysfunctional.#PIBFactCheck
❌This claim is #FAKE#IndiaFightsPropaganda pic.twitter.com/8Gcmcm4vYq
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
Fake News 8: Destruction of S-400 Missile System
One of the most sensational yet unfounded claims suggests that Pakistan has destroyed India’s S-400 missile system. This allegation has been fact-checked and labelled as completely false by PIB. The S-400 system, a key part of India’s defence infrastructure, remains fully operational and intact.
🚨 S-400 Destroyed by Pakistan? Here’s the Truth!
Posts circulating on social media claim that Pakistan has destroyed an Indian S-400 air defence system.#PIBFactCheck
❌ This claim is FAKE.
❌ Reports of destruction or any damage to an S-400 system are baseless.… pic.twitter.com/wPLKQSBAqe
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
Fake News 9: Indian Female Air Force pilot has been captured
The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit has debunked several misinformation circulating on social media. PIB Fact Check has refuted that Indian Female Air Force pilot has been captured. “Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. PIBFactCheck. This claim is FAKE,” PIB fact check stated.
Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured🚨
Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan.#PIBFactCheck
❌ This claim is FAKE!#IndiaFightsPropaganda@MIB_India… pic.twitter.com/V8zovpSRYk
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
Fake News 10: Indian Pilot Ejected Over PoK
A piece of Fake news was circulated with claims that an Indian pilot ejected over Pok, however, the truth is something else. PIB did a fact check and wrote, “Posts on social media claim that an Indian pilot ejected from a fighter jet over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). #PIBFactCheck This claim is FAKE. ”
🚨 Indian Pilot Ejected Over PoK? Here’s the Truth!
Posts on social media claim that an Indian pilot ejected from a fighter jet over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).#PIBFactCheck
❌ This claim is FAKE.
📢 Don’t fall for misinformation. Always verify before sharing.… pic.twitter.com/u12T92qhr2
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
Targeted Disinformation Campaign
According to analysts, many of these false narratives originated from social media accounts linked to Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), and were aimed at escalating tensions. The PIB urged citizens to rely on credible sources and refrain from sharing unverified content.
The continued spread of disinformation amid Indo-Pak tensions highlights the need for increased public awareness and responsible social media use. As the situation develops, the government is expected to take further measures to counter propaganda and maintain public order.
Amid these ongoing tensions, PIB has urged citizens to stay cautious and refrain from sharing unverified news. The Fact Check Unit has emphasised the importance of critical thinking before forwarding or reacting to social media posts, especially those involving national security or sensitive bilateral relations.
PIB has also advised users to cross-check information from credible government sources to avoid falling prey to fake news. The spread of such false information not only creates unnecessary panic but also undermines the efforts to maintain calm and order during sensitive times.
To stay updated and informed, follow official channels like the Press Information Bureau and other verified government handles on social media.
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