PIB denies false claims of Indian female pilot captured in Pakistan

On May 9, 2025, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India issued multiple statements addressing false and misleading claims proliferating on social media amid rising regional tensions. One notable claim that went viral alleged the capture of Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, a female officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF), by Pakistani forces. PIB Fact Check responded firmly, labeling this assertion as completely false and part of deliberate misinformation campaigns seeking to mislead the public. In a separate announcement, PIB dismissed another spurious claim that alleged Pakistan had destroyed an Indian S-400 air defense system, categorically stating these reports were baseless. Additionally, explanations were provided concerning images circulating online that falsely depicted three Indian fighter jets having crashed in the Himalayan region. PIB clarified that the images were actually from 2016, thereby emphasizing the need for accurate information dissemination. The tempo of misinformation was further highlighted by the PIB’s comments regarding narratives of a cyberattack on India's power grid and a supposed drone strike on the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. These rampant fabrications seem part of an orchestrated effort to incite tensions, particularly in the wake of ongoing geopolitical conflicts between India and Pakistan. The PIB urged the populace to exercise caution and emphasized that reliable information should be sourced from official channels. This guidance underlines the critical importance of distinguishing between verified facts and the spread of politicized fake news, especially in times of heightened sensitivity.