False claims surrounding ‘Operation Sindoor’ flood social media; AI-generated content, old visuals misused amid India-Pak tensions

Laxmi Galani
Feb 12
3 min read

In the wake of India’s “Operation Sindoor”, which reportedly targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), social media platforms have been inundated with false, misleading and unverified claims related to the military action and its aftermath. A mix of artificially generated visuals, old photographs, unrelated video clips and exaggerated narratives are being widely circulated, adding to confusion and heightening tensions online.

Here is a detailed round-up of the misinformation trends observed:

AI-Generated War Visuals Shared as Real

Several dramatic images purportedly showing large-scale explosions, destroyed military installations and aerial dogfights have gone viral across platforms such as X, Facebook and Instagram. Fact-checkers have pointed out that many of these visuals bear tell-tale signs of artificial intelligence (AI) generation, including distorted structures, inconsistent lighting and blurred

insignia on military equipment.

In some cases, posts carrying these images claimed that specific Pakistani cities had been “completely destroyed” or that Indian forces had carried out strikes far beyond the officially acknowledged locations. No official confirmation supports these assertions.

Old Videos Passed Off as Fresh Footage

Multiple video clips from past conflicts and unrelated incidents are being falsely linked to Operation Sindoor. These include:

Footage from earlier India-Pakistan cross-border tensions.
Videos from conflict zones in other countries, including West Asia.
Old clips of military drills and missile tests from both India and Pakistan.

In one widely shared post, a video of a massive nighttime explosion—later traced to a 2020 industrial blast—was described as evidence of a “retaliatory strike.” Reverse image and video searches revealed the clip had no connection to the current situation.

Fabricated Casualty Figures and Captured Pilots Claims

Unverified posts have claimed high casualty figures on both sides, including alleged deaths of senior military officials. Some handles have also circulated rumours about fighter jets being shot down and pilots captured.

However, there has been no official confirmation from Indian or Pakistani authorities regarding such claims. Defence analysts have cautioned that premature reporting of casualty figures during sensitive operations can inflame public sentiment and spread panic.

Misleading Maps and Edited Screenshots

Screenshots of fabricated news tickers and edited television broadcasts have also been widely shared. Some posts show altered maps claiming territorial changes or expanded areas of control following the operation.

Experts warn that such doctored visuals are designed to provoke emotional reactions and gain traction through outrage and nationalism.

Communal and Hate Narratives Amplified

Beyond military claims, several posts attempt to communalise the situation by linking Operation Sindoor to domestic political narratives. Authorities and civil society groups have urged users to avoid sharing unverified content that may disturb public order or harmony.

Government Advisories and Fact-Checking Efforts

Officials have advised citizens to rely only on verified information from official government briefings and credible news outlets. Fact-checking organisations have intensified efforts to debunk viral misinformation, urging users to cross-check visuals before sharing.

Cybersecurity experts note that heightened geopolitical tensions often coincide with coordinated misinformation campaigns, including the use of bot networks and anonymous handles to amplify sensational content.

Call for Caution

As tensions remain sensitive, experts stress the importance of digital responsibility. Sharing unverified claims—especially those involving military operations—can have serious implications for national security and public safety.

Users are encouraged to:

Verify sources before reposting.
Check for official confirmations.
Use reverse image search tools to identify old or unrelated visuals.
Avoid engaging with provocative or inflammatory content.

While Operation Sindoor has sparked intense public interest, authorities and analysts emphasise that accurate information—not viral speculation—must guide public discourse during such critical moments.

False claims surrounding ‘Operation Sindoor’ flood social media; AI-generated content, old visuals misused amid India-Pak tensions

Here is a detailed round-up of the misinformation trends observed:

AI-Generated War Visuals Shared as Real

insignia on military equipment.

In some cases, posts carrying these images claimed that specific Pakistani cities had been “completely destroyed” or that Indian forces had carried out strikes far beyond the officially acknowledged locations. No official confirmation supports these assertions.

Old Videos Passed Off as Fresh Footage

Multiple video clips from past conflicts and unrelated incidents are being falsely linked to Operation Sindoor. These include:

Footage from earlier India-Pakistan cross-border tensions.

Videos from conflict zones in other countries, including West Asia.

Old clips of military drills and missile tests from both India and Pakistan.

In one widely shared post, a video of a massive nighttime explosion—later traced to a 2020 industrial blast—was described as evidence of a “retaliatory strike.” Reverse image and video searches revealed the clip had no connection to the current situation.

Fabricated Casualty Figures and Captured Pilots Claims

Unverified posts have claimed high casualty figures on both sides, including alleged deaths of senior military officials. Some handles have also circulated rumours about fighter jets being shot down and pilots captured.

However, there has been no official confirmation from Indian or Pakistani authorities regarding such claims. Defence analysts have cautioned that premature reporting of casualty figures during sensitive operations can inflame public sentiment and spread panic.

Misleading Maps and Edited Screenshots

Screenshots of fabricated news tickers and edited television broadcasts have also been widely shared. Some posts show altered maps claiming territorial changes or expanded areas of control following the operation.

Experts warn that such doctored visuals are designed to provoke emotional reactions and gain traction through outrage and nationalism.

Communal and Hate Narratives Amplified

Beyond military claims, several posts attempt to communalise the situation by linking Operation Sindoor to domestic political narratives. Authorities and civil society groups have urged users to avoid sharing unverified content that may disturb public order or harmony.

Government Advisories and Fact-Checking Efforts

Officials have advised citizens to rely only on verified information from official government briefings and credible news outlets. Fact-checking organisations have intensified efforts to debunk viral misinformation, urging users to cross-check visuals before sharing.

Cybersecurity experts note that heightened geopolitical tensions often coincide with coordinated misinformation campaigns, including the use of bot networks and anonymous handles to amplify sensational content.

Call for Caution

As tensions remain sensitive, experts stress the importance of digital responsibility. Sharing unverified claims—especially those involving military operations—can have serious implications for national security and public safety.

Users are encouraged to:

Verify sources before reposting.

Check for official confirmations.

Use reverse image search tools to identify old or unrelated visuals.

Avoid engaging with provocative or inflammatory content.

While Operation Sindoor has sparked intense public interest, authorities and analysts emphasise that accurate information—not viral speculation—must guide public discourse during such critical moments.

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