PIB refutes the claims of an Indian Airforce pilot being captured in Pakistan

New Delhi(India) May 10: A number of pro-Pakistan social media accounts are spreading false information reporting that an Indian Air Force pilot has been arrested in Pakistan amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. According to one of the tweets, Shivani Singh, a female Indian Air Force pilot squadron leader, was captured in Pakistan.

But according to the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) fact-checking team, the claim is FAKE.

PIB stated that,“Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured."

"Attention: False Claim Circulating Online! Several pro-Pakistan social media accounts are falsely claiming that three fighter jets have crashed in different areas of the Himalayan region," PIB said in an X post.

A pro pakistani account wrote: "There are news that Indian Female Air Force pilot squadron leader Shivani Singh captured in Pakistan while she jumped from the jet, her is a video too watch out. By the way Chai Peeni Hey. After Abhinandan another one.”

While in another post, the person added: "Pakistan will make another example as she is a female pilot officer and our religion Islam teaches us treat womens respectfully.”

The PIB has advised people to practice caution, ignore such information, and avoid spreading such unconfirmed messages.

Three Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets were reported to have crashed in various parts of the Himalayan region, according to an earlier post.

In its fact check, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) rejected this as being completely false. In order to prevent being deceived by false information, the PIB advised the public to exercise caution and not fall for messages that create fear.

Shivangi Singh, a 29-year-old woman pilot, is the first and only Indian woman to fly the powerful French-built Rafale fighter jet. She first flew the MiG-21 Bison, one of the IAF's famous fighter jets, after being commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2017.

Misinformation has increased during the India vs. Pakistan tensions with manipulated videos being used to influence public opinion.

False information of this kind has the potential to impact how the war is viewed throughout the world. To maintain public awareness, Indian defence authorities are constantly fighting misleading stories.

Aadrika Tayal