In a stern rebuttal to Chinese propaganda efforts, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check has called out China Daily, a prominent Chinese state-run media outlet, for spreading false information claiming that three Indian jets crashed in Kashmir. The image used in the China Daily report was quickly debunked as being from a 2019 incident, originally reported by Al Jazeera.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), PIB Fact Check wrote:
“A news report by @ChinaDaily falsely claims that at least three Indian jets crashed in Kashmir. The image is from an earlier incident from 2019. This is part of a coordinated propaganda campaign aimed at creating panic and misleading the public.”
A news report by @ChinaDaily falsely claims that at least three Indian jets crashed in Kashmir.#PIBFactCheck
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025
✅ The image is from an earlier incident from 2019.
🔗Here is a news report from 2019: https://t.co/0BeLRorOvF
🔴 This is part of a coordinated propaganda campaign… pic.twitter.com/E1OQaDYkHV
The move is being seen as part of a broader disinformation campaign amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Indian Embassy Slams Chinese Media
Earlier this week, the Embassy of India in Beijing had also called out the Global Times, another Chinese media mouthpiece, for falsely claiming that Pakistan had shot down an Indian fighter jet.
In a sharply worded response on X, the Embassy said:
“Dear @globaltimesnews, we would recommend you verify your facts and cross-examine your sources before pushing out this kind of disinformation.”
The embassy further noted that several pro-Pakistan social media handles were circulating baseless claims around Operation Sindoor in an attempt to twist facts and create a false narrative of military success against India.
“When media outlets share such information without verifying sources, it reflects a serious lapse in responsibility and journalistic ethics,” it stated.
Pakistan’s “Hamas-Style” Rocket Attack and Drone Retaliation
Tensions in the region intensified on Thursday as Pakistan attempted a Hamas-style missile barrage on multiple Indian areas, mimicking tactics used in the Middle East conflict. Indian defence sources said that cheap, unguided rockets were launched at Jammu and surrounding areas in a coordinated but ineffective attack.
In response, the Indian Army launched a massive counter-drone operation, shooting down over 50 Pakistani drones attempting to infiltrate Indian airspace along the LoC and International Borders. The Indian Air Defence system also neutralised Pakistan’s air defence unit stationed near Lahore, reportedly used to coordinate drone activity.
Despite the propaganda push by China and Pakistan, India has maintained a firm stance, combining diplomatic rebuttals with robust defence responses.