MAY 10, 2025
A viral claim on social media saying that an Indian Air Force female pilot has been captured by Pakistan is false, the Indian government has confirmed. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit on Saturday said the reports are fake and urged the public not to fall for misinformation.
No pilot has been captured
The social media posts claimed that Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, a female officer in the Indian Air Force, was taken into custody by Pakistani authorities. These posts were shared widely by several pro-Pakistan handles and pages.
However, the PIB Fact Check unit responded, saying, “Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. This claim is FAKE!”
Indian Pilot Ejected Over PoK? PIB fact checks
PIB Fact check also said that the claim of Indian pilot ejecting over PoK is also false.
Indian Pilot Ejected Over PoK? Here’s the Truth! Posts on social media claim that an Indian pilot ejected from a fighter jet over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
False news amid rising tensions
The false claim comes days after tensions between India and Pakistan increased following Indian air strikes on terror camps across the border. Since then, several social media accounts have shared misleading or fake information attempting to create confusion.
This is the second major claim debunked by the PIB in recent days. Earlier, the unit denied another viral post that said Pakistan had destroyed India’s S-400 air defence system. That claim was also labelled fake by the government.
Fact check teams stay alert
The PIB’s Fact Check unit has urged people to be cautious while reading or sharing information online. They asked users to rely on official sources and not spread unverified content that could cause panic.
Ministry issues advisory for online safety
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) also issued a broader alert about the spread of misinformation. It asked citizens to stay vigilant and not forward posts without confirming their authenticity.
“Always follow cybersecurity precautions. Don’t fall for fake news or panic-inducing messages,” MeitY said in its advisory.
There is no truth to the claim that Squadron Leader Shivani Singh has been captured. The Indian government has confirmed that the information circulating online is false. Readers are advised to stay alert and not believe or spread such fake messages.
Courtesy/Source: The Economic Times / PTI
