PIB Busts Fake Video on Pahalgam Attack: Misinformation Exposed

Fake News Alert: Viral Video About Pahalgam Terror Attack Busted by PIB’s Fact-Check Team

In a world where social media spreads information like wildfire, sometimes the flames are fueled by outright lies. That’s exactly what happened recently when a viral video started making rounds online, claiming to show a “whistleblower” Indian Army soldier spilling the beans on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. But here's the truth—the video is a complete fake, and India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) jumped in quickly to bust the myth.

Let’s break this down. The video in question was shared by a social media user and came with a bombshell caption: “A soldier from Jammu reveals the truth behind the #Pehlagam false flag operation, exposing Modi and the BJP. #PahalgamJhootHai_ #IndiaPakistanWar2025 #ceasefire.”

Sounds sensational, right? But don’t believe the hype.

🕵️‍♂️ Who Was in the Viral Video?

The man shown in the clip was presented as an Indian Army soldier stationed in Jammu, allegedly revealing "the truth" about the Pahalgam terror attack. For a moment, it appeared like a dramatic scene from a political thriller. However, the reality couldn’t be more different.

The PIB’s Fact Check wing stepped in and revealed that the person featured in the video was a deserter, not an active-duty soldier. According to reports from news agency ANI, the man had been missing from his post since March 2025 and had cut off contact with his family as well.

So no—this isn’t a soldier breaking rank to speak the truth. This is someone who’s not even part of the system anymore, trying to play a dangerous game on social media.

✅ PIB Slaps "FAKE" Stamp on Viral Video

To prevent further confusion, the PIB took a firm stand. They didn’t just release a statement—they literally stamped the video with a big "FAKE" tag and published the truth on their official handle on X (formerly Twitter). Here's what they posted:

“A video of an Indian Army soldier, accusing the central government of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, is going viral on social media. The soldier seen in the video is a deserter and has not been present at his duty since March 2025, nor has he been in contact with his family. Please stay vigilant. Do not fall for such videos.”

Boom. That’s the end of that conspiracy.

🧠 Quick Reminder:

Before you share anything online, especially something this sensitive:

• ✅ Cross-check with official sources.

• ✅ Look out for fact-checks.

• ✅ Be cautious with viral content, especially when it claims to "expose" something.

• ✅ Avoid being a tool in the hands of misinformation peddlers.

🎥 Fake News from Across the Border? PIB Says Yes!

Interestingly, this wasn’t the only misinformation drama unfolding. Around the same time, Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) added fuel to the fire with their own claims. During a press briefing, the Pakistani military allegedly showed video clips aired on India TV News, asserting that Indian airbases had been destroyed.

But here’s the kicker: The clips were manipulated.

Yep. According to ANI and a statement from the PIB, Pakistan had cleverly edited and stitched together multiple snippets of a much longer video to make it appear like Indian news channels were admitting defeat.

🎯 What Was Really in the Video?

The full, unedited footage told a very different story. In the original video, Indian air defense systems had actually intercepted the attacks, and footage even showed a Pakistani missile being shot down. That's right—the very clip used to suggest Indian damage was actually celebrating Indian defense success.

The PIB addressed this manipulation with a direct call-out:

"The Pakistani military in its briefing has shown a video clip aired on @IndiaTV News Channel, implying that Indian channels have admitted to destruction of Indian airbases. This is an attempt by #Pakistan to mislead its own people by editing and cleverly stitching multiple chunks of a larger video."

That’s a masterclass in how misinformation works—cut a few frames here, add dramatic music there, and suddenly you're selling a lie as truth.

🚫 Rumors of Gunfire Along the LoC? Also False!

And if you thought the drama ended there, think again. Another round of rumors began to circulate—this time claiming there had been an artillery exchange along the Line of Control (LoC). Social media was abuzz with talk of rising tensions and possible escalations.

But once again, PIB’s fact-checking squad shut it down. They released a statement labeling these rumors as "baseless", and asked the public to ignore such fake updates unless they’re backed by reliable, official confirmation.

📱 Why It All Matters

This isn’t just about one fake video or a couple of edited news clips. The bigger problem is how fast false information spreads—especially when it's tied to national security, cross-border tensions, or sensitive political narratives.

Every time a fake post gets shared, liked, or commented on, it adds another layer of confusion to already complex situations. It fuels anger, division, and distrust—often at the expense of truth and public safety.

That’s why the PIB’s role here isn’t just about fact-checking. It’s about preserving public trust and stopping misinformation before it becomes dangerous.

🔍 The Takeaway

Here's the bottom line, folks:

1. Don’t trust everything you see on social media.

2. Always verify with official sources like PIB.

3. Look out for fact-check tags or clarifications.

4. Be wary of emotionally charged or politically targeted content.

5. If it feels too dramatic or "too real to be real"—it probably is.

In today's digital landscape, truth can easily get buried under flashy headlines and edited footage. But as long as we're cautious and informed, we can keep our timelines—and minds—clear of clutter.

Stay smart. Stay informed. And most importantly—don’t fall for the fake stuff.