Editing Pakistani military misinformation during 2025 conflict with India

{{Short description|Chronological list of false claims and disinformation by Pakistan during the 2025 India–Pakistan tensions}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
During the 2025 flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan, the '''Government of Pakistan''' and its '''armed forces''' were reported to have disseminated several pieces of '''false information''', '''doctored media''', and '''unverified claims'''. These actions were widely condemned by Indian authorities, fact-checked by international media, and rebutted with documented evidence by India’s '''Press Information Bureau (PIB)''' and other government agencies.

This article outlines some of the '''key instances''' of disinformation in a chronological format, based on verifiable reports from reputable sources.

== Pattern of misinformation ==

Analysts and former diplomats pointed out that the disinformation during the 2025 conflict fits into a '''larger historical pattern''' by Pakistan. Former Indian Ambassador D. B. Venkatesh Varma noted that Pakistan has a '''“history of lies and misinformation”''', citing examples from past incidents such as the '''Pahalgam attack'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan has a history of lies and misinformation; Pahalgam attack is original escalation: Misri |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/pakistan-has-a-history-of-lies-and-misinformation-pahalgam-attack-is-original-escalation-misri/article69554187.ece |website=The Hindu Business Line |date=11 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>

== Disinformation techniques used ==

According to multiple media investigations and government reports, the Pakistani establishment deployed a wide range of '''disinformation tactics''', including:

* '''Deepfakes''' and '''AI-generated content'''
* '''Recycled and edited old footage'''
* '''Manipulated news clips'''
* '''Misuse of Indian broadcast content'''
* '''False social media narratives targeting Indian audiences'''

These efforts were documented by the '''Press Information Bureau''', '''NewsOnAir''', and '''Times Now''', which released analyses showing at least '''six verifiable instances''' of disinformation that could not be substantiated by independent observers or international media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan's full-blown disinformation offensive |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pakistans-full-blown-disinformation-offensive/articleshow/120972008.cms |website=The Economic Times |date=11 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=From Milbus to Missiles: 6 lies Pakistan military couldn’t back up |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/from-milbus-to-missiles-6-lies-pakistan-military-could-not-back-up-watch-article-151613745 |website=Times Now News |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan indulges in spreading misinformation on digital media to manipulate public perception |url=https://www.newsonair.gov.in/pakistan-indulges-in-spreading-misinformation-on-digital-media-to-manipulate-public-perception/ |website=All India Radio |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>

== Notable disinformation episodes ==
=== Fabricated video of missile strike ===

On 10 May 2025, '''Pakistan’s military public relations unit (ISPR)''' released a video during an official press briefing, claiming to show successful missile strikes on Indian military positions. However, the footage was later exposed as doctored.

India’s '''Press Information Bureau (PIB)''' fact-check division revealed that the video included '''edited clips from India TV''', which had originally aired a '''simulated graphic''' in a news segment unrelated to any actual strike.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan exposed again: Army uses edited India TV clip to falsely claim missile strike in India; PIB debunks lie |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/pakistan-exposed-again-army-uses-edited-india-tv-clip-to-falsely-claim-missile-strike-in-india-pib-debunks-lie-2025-05-12-989932 |website=India TV News |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>

=== Doctored images circulated on digital platforms ===

Pakistan’s official digital channels began circulating '''manipulated images''' allegedly showing damage inflicted on Indian military infrastructure. The PIB’s fact-check portal and Indian digital media analysts highlighted that the visuals were either from '''archival footage''', '''video games''', or misattributed images from '''natural disasters''' in unrelated countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PIB debunks Pakistan misinformation campaign against India: The lies & the real truth |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/pib-debunks-pakistan-misinformation-campaign-against-india-the-lies-the-real-truth-heres-what-you-need-to-know/articleshow/120986838.cms |website=The Economic Times |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan resorts to spreading fake news & misinformation on digital |url=https://www.newsonair.gov.in/pakistan-resorts-to-spreading-fake-news-misinformation-on-digital/ |website=All India Radio |date=11 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>

=== Prime Minister's false address to the nation ===

In a nationally televised speech on 12 May, the '''Prime Minister of Pakistan''' claimed that Pakistan had “neutralized multiple Indian launchpads” and had “captured Indian soldiers.” The Indian government refuted these claims, stating that '''no Indian soldiers were missing''' and that '''no such strikes occurred'''. The Indian Ministry of Defence categorized the claims as part of a '''systematic disinformation campaign'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Attempted malicious misinformation campaign: Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/attempted-malicious-misinformation-campaign-govt-calls-out-pakistans-propaganda/articleshow/121050718.cms |website=The Times of India |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>

== Indian government's response ==

The Indian government, through its official communication arms, launched a counter-offensive aimed at '''debunking misinformation in real-time''', particularly through the '''PIB Fact Check''' handle on social media. Statements from India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence focused on providing '''verified data''', '''satellite imagery''', and '''on-ground assessments''' to counter Pakistan’s claims.

India’s official position, reiterated multiple times in media briefings, accused Pakistan of attempting to '''mislead its own population and the international community''' as a '''diversion from domestic issues''' and internal unrest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan's disinformation campaign: India responds with facts |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/pib-debunks-pakistan-misinformation-campaign-against-india-the-lies-the-real-truth-heres-what-you-need-to-know/articleshow/120986838.cms |website=The Economic Times |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Fake news]]
[[Category:India-Pakistan conflict]]