Fact Check: No, militants did not capture an Indian Air Force helicopter in Manipur

A video circulating on social media recently claimed that militants had captured an Indian Air Force helicopter in Manipur, sparking concern and speculation online. However, a fact check has found the claim to be false.

According to an investigation by India Today’s Fact Check team, the viral video was not related to any militant takeover. Instead, it was recorded by personnel of the Manipur Police India Reserve Battalion during an official operation.

What the viral claim said

Social media posts accompanying the video alleged that armed militants had seized an Indian Air Force helicopter amid the ongoing unrest in Manipur. The clip showed security personnel near a helicopter in a hilly terrain, which was misrepresented as evidence of a militant capture.

What the investigation found

The fact check revealed that:

• The helicopter seen in the video was part of a coordinated security operation.

• The footage was recorded by members of the Manipur Police’s India Reserve Battalion.

• There was no militant capture or hostile takeover involved.

Officials clarified that the helicopter was being used for operational or logistical purposes by security forces and that the situation shown in the video was routine in nature.

Misleading narrative

The misleading claim appears to have stemmed from the tense security situation in Manipur, where clashes and unrest in recent months have led to heightened sensitivity around military and police movements. Fact-checkers noted that old or unrelated visuals are often reshared with false captions to create panic.

Authorities have urged citizens to verify information before sharing and to rely on official sources during sensitive situations.

The fact check underscores the importance of responsible social media use and highlights how easily visuals can be taken out of context to spread misinformation.