Amid rising border tensions, the Ministry of Defence on Saturday issued a public advisory urging citizens to beware of fake news on WhatsApp and follow only verified sources such as the Ministry’s official WhatsApp channel for credible defence-related updates.
The alert comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a bold military offensive launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). The operation is a retaliatory measure to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali national.
Precision Strikes in Pakistan
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, addressing the media, detailed the precision strikes on Pakistani military targets at:
- Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian
- Radar installations at Pasrur and Sialkot
These strikes were carried out using air-launched weapons from Indian fighter aircraft.
“Our response has been targeted, responsible, and measured,” stated Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a press conference. He also labelled Pakistan’s cross-border aggression as “escalatory” and “provocative.”
Disinformation Campaign Rejected
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh debunked false claims from Pakistan about damage to India’s key military installations, including:
- The S-400 system at Adampur
- Airbases in Suratgarh, Sirsa
- The BrahMos unit at Nagrota
- Artillery sites in Dehrangyari and Chandigarh
“India unequivocally rejects these baseless allegations. They are part of Pakistan’s psychological warfare to mislead the international community and our own citizens,” Singh clarified.
Meanwhile, Indian bases at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhuj, and Bathinda faced attacks, with infrastructure damage and injuries reported. Especially condemned was Pakistan’s use of high-speed missiles targeting civilian areas, including hospitals and schools in Srinagar, Awantipora, and Udhampur.
Official Advisory and Media Handling
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of Defence urged caution:
“In these sensitive times, a lot of misinformation and fake news is being spread on WhatsApp. Be cautious and follow our WhatsApp Channel for all authentic information related to the Ministry of Defence.”
Key Developments Recap:
- India’s Operation Sindoor targets key terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK.
- 26 Indian locations attacked by Pakistan earlier triggered the retaliation.
- Ministry rebuts Pakistan’s misinformation on Indian military losses.
- Defence Ministry promotes authentic channels to fight fake news.