Doctored Images, Desperate Attempt: Pakistan’s Operation Sindoor Misinfo Push Falls Flat

Last Updated:January 02, 2026, 22:05 IST

The latest propaganda campaign involves the dissemination of doctored visuals allegedly showing destruction at key Indian airbases

India conducted Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam attack. File image/PTI

In a qualitative escalation of the ongoing information war, Pakistan has once again turned to social media to circulate misleading and unverified satellite imagery, falsely claiming successful strikes on Indian military facilities during Operation Sindoor. On January 2, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and military sources rejected these assertions as part of a desperate Pakistani effort to rewrite the narrative following the decisive military episode in May 2025.

The Anatomy of the Disinformation

The latest propaganda campaign involves the dissemination of doctored visuals allegedly showing destruction at key Indian airbases, including those at Amritsar, Pathankot, and Udhampur. Independent verification and authentic satellite imagery have debunked these claims, revealing that the images were either outdated, manipulated, or completely unrelated to recent events:

Amritsar Airbase: Misleading images were circulated claiming a direct hit; however, independent satellite data confirms the facility remains secure, with only minor maintenance work—such as the removal of roof coverings on small munitions sheds—visible.

Pathankot and Tibri: Sources in the Indian Army confirmed that these installations remain fully intact, with no signs of structural damage or blast impact, exposing the Pakistani posts as fabrications.

Recycled Footage: The Indian Fact Check Unit (FCU) has identified instances where Pakistan recycled old footage, including a 2021 MiG-21 crash in Moga and 2023 Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, falsely presenting them as recent successes in Punjab.

Context: Operation Sindoor 2025

Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces in May 2025 as a retaliatory response to a major terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. During the four-day high-intensity conflict, India conducted precision strikes targeting terrorist launchpads and radar facilities deep inside Pakistan, including locations in Bahawalpur and Muridke.

While India maintained that it did not target Pakistani military establishments, recent satellite evidence from January 2026 reveals that several Pakistani airbases—such as Noor Khan, Bholari, and Jacobabad—are still struggling to restore infrastructure damaged during the Indian offensive.

The Information Front

Analysts suggest that Islamabad’s reliance on “digital smoke and mirrors" is a strategic attempt to shield its military leadership from domestic criticism and project an illusion of a strong counter-response. Since the 2025 conflict, India has proactively countered these narratives through its Fact Check Unit, which has already flagged over 1,400 URLs containing misleading or anti-India content.

As the regional standoff continues, New Delhi remains on high alert, maintaining that any genuine threat to Indian sovereignty will be met with a measured and resolute response.

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