The Zombie State: Pakistan’s Shameless War of Lies Against India
Pakistan has a long history of employing propaganda and misinformation as tools of state policy, particularly concerning its relationship with India. This strategy aims to manipulate public opinion, both domestically and internationally, and to deflect attention from its own internal issues and support for terrorism. Recent events have once again brought Pakistan's deceptive tactics into sharp focus, revealing a pattern of blatant lies and shameless attempts to distort reality.
Operation Sindoor and the Collapse of Pakistan's Propaganda Narrative
Following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22nd, 2025, where 26 innocent tourists were brutally killed, India responded with precision strikes under "Operation Sindoor" targeting known terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes were a measured response aimed at dismantling terror networks responsible for cross-border attacks. However, Pakistan's reaction has been a masterclass in denial and the fabrication of an alternate reality.
Blatant Lies on Global Platforms
One of the most egregious examples of this came from Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, during a live interview with CNN. In an astounding display of disregard for truth, Asif claimed that Pakistani forces had shot down five Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. When pressed by the CNN anchor for evidence, he resorted to the absurd claim that the proof was "all over social media, on Indian social media, not just our social media." This reliance on unverified social media posts as evidence on an international news platform was not only embarrassing but also indicative of the desperate measures Pakistan is willing to take to propagate its narrative. The CNN anchor swiftly fact-checked his baseless assertions, highlighting the lack of any credible evidence.
Furthermore, in the aftermath of India's counter-terrorism operation, Pakistani social media has been flooded with a barrage of fake news and misinformation. Doctored images and old videos, unrelated to the current situation, have been circulated to falsely claim the downing of Indian aircraft and inflictions of heavy casualties on the Indian side. For instance, images from a 2021 IAF MiG-21 crash in Punjab and a 2019 helicopter crash in Jammu and Kashmir were falsely presented as evidence of recent Indian losses. Similarly, a video from sectarian clashes in Pakistan in 2024 was falsely claimed to show an attack on the Srinagar airbase.
Adding to this charade, Pakistani officials have even endorsed fabricated claims. Minister Attaullah Tarar publicly supported a false video alleging that Indian troops had surrendered by raising a white flag – a claim vehemently debunked by India's Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check unit, which identified the video as originating from a 2019 incident where the Pakistani army raised a white flag.
Tragically, even as India took precise action against terrorist camps to prevent further atrocities, Pakistan engaged in indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. This blatant targeting of innocent civilians resulted in the death of at least 13 individuals, including children, and left dozens injured. This act of aggression, following a counter-terrorism operation, starkly contrasts India's efforts to avoid civilian casualties during its strikes on terror infrastructure. The international community has taken note of this, with many questioning Pakistan's intentions and its continued support for destabilizing activities in the region.
Misinformation Blitz on Social Media
Examples of Busted Propaganda:
- Claim: Pakistan shot down five Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor.
- Fact-check: Pakistan's Defence Minister cited social media as the sole "evidence," which was immediately refuted by the CNN anchor. No credible evidence has emerged to support this claim. The PIB has identified old images of unrelated crashes being used to propagate this falsehood.
- Claim: Pakistan Air Force targeted the Srinagar airbase.
- Fact-check: A viral video purporting to show this was traced back to sectarian clashes in Pakistan in 2024 and had no connection to the recent events in Kashmir.
- Claim: Indian Army surrendered at Chora post.
- Fact-check: A video from September 2019 showing the Pakistani army raising a white flag was falsely circulated by Pakistani handles claiming it showed Indian soldiers surrendering.
- Claim: Pakistan destroyed an Indian Brigade Headquarters.
- Fact-check: This claim has been verified as completely fabricated, with no evidence to support it.
These are just a few examples that illustrate the extent and audacity of Pakistan's propaganda machinery. By resorting to such tactics, Pakistan not only attempts to mislead the world but also demonstrates a profound lack of accountability and a continued reliance on deception. The international community must recognize this pattern of behavior and hold Pakistan accountable for its actions and its persistent spread of misinformation. The evidence is clear: Pakistan's narrative is built on a foundation of falsehoods, designed to obscure its role in fostering terrorism and destabilizing the region.