Pakistan Walks Back Its Claims On IAF Pilot In Custody; Blames ‘Social Media Chatter’ After Operation Sindoor (VIDEO) | (Photo Courtesy: X/@PIBFactCheck)
Pakistan officially denied claims that it had captured an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot during the recent 100-hour military escalation with India. This comes after the IAF, on Sunday, May 11, confirmed that all its personnel involved in ‘Operation Sindoor’ safely returned, dismissing weeks of speculation and misinformation that had proliferated across social media platforms.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during a press briefing, issued a clarification that contradicted earlier rumors suggesting the capture of an Indian pilot.
“I can confirm that we don’t have any (Indian) pilots in custody. This is all part of social media chatter and part of fake news and propaganda generated from multiple sources,” he said.
Have a look at the entire statement here:
PIB Debunks ‘IAF Pilot’ Claim
On Saturday, May 10, India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) had already moved to stamp out the rumors, particularly those suggesting that Squadron Leader Shivani Singh had been captured in Pakistan.
“Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured,” the PIB’s fact-checking unit said. “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!”
The agency also dismissed related claims that an Indian aircraft had gone down over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Have a look at their post here:
At a media briefing on Sunday, May 11, Air Marshal AK Bharti reaffirmed the IAF’s success in Operation Sindoor. “We are in a combat scenario and losses are part of combat. However, we have achieved all our objectives, and all our pilots are back home,” he said.
Bharti also reported that Pakistani aircraft were intercepted and some had been shot down, although he withheld specifics. “Pakistani aircraft were prevented from entering Indian airspace, so we don’t have wreckage, but we are certain of the hits,” he added.
