7 Viral Fake News claims busted by TeluguPost after Operation Sindoor on May 9th 2025
Explore how misinformation surged after India’s Operation Sindoor. This article debunks 7 viral fake claims with verified fact-checks and lessons on identifying disinformation.
Following India’s airstrikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), several misleading and false narratives began circulating on social media platforms. These claims, many of which originated or gained traction in Pakistan, attempted to shape public perception and distract from the operation’s objectives. Below are seven verified fact-checks that reveal how disinformation was used, along with simplified versions of each incident and the lessons we can take from them.
1. SBI Ransomware Rumor
Claim: A viral message claimed that SBI ATMs would be closed for 2–3 days due to a ransomware attack and warned against making online transactions.
Fact: SBI confirmed that all ATMs and digital services are working as usual.
Lesson: Always verify banking alerts from official sources before panicking or forwarding messages.
2. Old Videos Claimed as Karachi Attack
Claim: Videos showing explosions were shared with claims that they were from India’s attack on Karachi after Operation Sindoor.
Fact: The videos were old and unrelated to any recent events between India and Pakistan.
Lesson: Visual content on social media can be easily misused. Check the date and context before believing or sharing.
3. BLA Warning Video from 2019 Circulates Again
Claim: A video showing masked men issuing threats to China and Pakistan was circulated as a fresh warning after the Indian strikes.
Fact: The video has been online since May 2019 and is not recent.
Lesson: Old videos can be repackaged as current events—always verify before assuming relevance.
4. Hazira Port Explosion Claim
Claim: A video was shared claiming Pakistan had attacked Gujarat’s Hazira Port.
Fact: The video showed an oil tanker explosion in the UAE from 2021.
Lesson: Geographic and event mismatches in viral videos are common. Reverse-searching videos helps uncover the truth.
5. Maulana Muhammad Iqbal Falsely Called Terrorist
Claim: A photo claimed that Maulana Muhammad Iqbal, who died in cross-border firing, was a terrorist.
Fact: He was an Indian citizen and a madrasa teacher, with no terror links.
Lesson: Mislabeling individuals in conflict situations can damage reputations and inflame tensions. Wait for official confirmation.
6. Airport Entry Ban Rumor
Claim: A viral message claimed all Indian airports were closed.
Fact: PIB clarified that there was no ban on entry to airports in India.
Lesson: Government travel restrictions should be confirmed through official channels like PIB or DGCA.
7. US Plane Crash Video Linked to Karachi
Claim: A video showing a plane crash was claimed to be from India’s attack on Karachi.
Fact: The crash happened in Philadelphia, USA, and is unrelated to India-Pakistan events.
Lesson: Context matters. Videos from one part of the world can be falsely attributed elsewhere to push a narrative.
