In the modern era, warfare is no longer confined to the battlefield, it is fought on multiple domains, including the digital realm, where narratives shape perceptions and truth becomes the ultimate weapon. The India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025 was a stark reminder of this reality. While India unleashed a torrent of lies, fake news, and baseless military claims, Pakistan countered with facts, restraint, and strategic precision. The defining moment came on 10 May 2025, when the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down six Indian jets, including advanced Rafale fighters, exposing India’s hollow military boasts and shattering its propaganda machine.
India’s web of lies: manufacturing fake victories
From the very beginning of the conflict, Indian media and officials engaged in deliberate misinformation campaigns, spreading fabricated claims to portray false victories. Notably, outlets such as Republic TV and Times Now circulated recycled footage, and even scenes from video games, to support the absurd assertion that the Karachi Port had been captured. Similarly, India claimed to have destroyed key Pakistan Air Force bases at Sargodha and Rafiqui, despite satellite imagery conclusively debunking these allegations. Another baseless rumour suggested that Quetta had fallen under militant control, a claim quickly disproven by independent sources. This web of deceit highlights a systematic effort to manipulate public perception through sensationalism and outright falsehoods.
Amid the recent military hostilities, Pakistani officials raised serious concerns over the Indian Army’s fabricated claim of a Shaheen missile launch. This deliberate misinformation aimed to exploit international fears of nuclear escalation, thereby deflecting attention from India’s own aggressive actions during Operation Sindoor.
Censorship and suppression of truth
In an attempt to conceal its shortcomings, India took extensive censorship measures by blocking over 8,000 social media accounts, including those operated by Pakistani and other international news outlets. The Indian government pressured platforms such as YouTube and Meta to take down content favourable to Pakistan. Furthermore, foreign journalists have been barred from accessing conflict zones, a move aimed at controlling the global narrative. In stark contrast, Pakistan lifted restrictions on X (formerly Twitter), allowing for the dissemination of real-time, verified information. This step has been widely appreciated by international observers as a commitment to transparency and freedom of information.
History of false-flag operations
India has a long-standing history of staging false-flag operations to justify aggressive actions against Pakistan. A notable example is the Pulwama incident in 2019, where a so-called suicide bombing was quickly blamed on Pakistan despite the absence of credible evidence. Similarly, in the Pahalgam massacre of 2025, India rushed to accuse Pakistan following the tragic killing of tourists. However, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) later presented forensic evidence that clearly indicated the attack had been orchestrated by India itself. These incidents highlight a troubling pattern of misinformation and manufactured pretexts aimed at escalating regional tensions.
Pakistan’s military triumph
During this conflict, Pakistan achieved a decisive military breakthrough that marked a turning point in the conflict. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) demonstrated overwhelming air superiority by shooting down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, two Su-30s, and a Mirage 2000. These claims were backed by electronic warfare data, which left India with no room for plausible deniability. In response, Indian officials issued only a vague statement, remarking that “losses are part of war,” deliberately avoiding direct acknowledgement of the setback.
Pakistan’s media: a wall against disinformation
In the face of escalating conflict and propaganda, Pakistan’s media demonstrated remarkable responsibility. Outlets such as Dawn, Geo News, and others maintained journalistic integrity by relying on verified data, satellite imagery and official briefings to report developments accurately. This approach stood in stark contrast to Indian media channels like Times Now, India Today, Aaj Tak, NDTV and Republic TV, which resorted to sensationalism, spreading AI-generated videos and recycling old war footage in an attempt to manipulate public perception. Pakistan’s commitment to credible reporting not only strengthened internal unity but also earned international credibility amid a storm of misinformation.
Global fallout: India’s humiliation and ceasefire
As tensions escalated dangerously close to a nuclear confrontation, the international community stepped in to prevent catastrophe. US President Donald Trump played a pivotal role by mediating a ceasefire, recognising the threat of nuclear war. With overwhelming evidence pointing to India as the aggressor, New Delhi was left with no diplomatic room and was forced to comply. The UN and several international human rights organisations condemned India for its targeting of civilians and violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, further isolating the country on the global stage.
In the face of escalating conflict and propaganda, Pakistan’s media demonstrated remarkable responsibility. Outlets such as Dawn, Geo News, and others maintained journalistic integrity by relying on verified data, satellite imagery and official briefings to report developments accurately.
The sequence of events presented by Pakistan was largely accepted as accurate, as major international news outlets confirmed the downing of the Indian planes, which India was fervently denying or obfuscating. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s electoral gamble — intended to stir nationalist fervour — ultimately backfired, as the world saw through his war-mongering propaganda, exposing the recklessness of his approach.
Pakistan’s moral victory
Pakistan’s victory in the conflict has earned the country tremendous respect around the world. While India became entangled in its own web of deception, Pakistan demonstrated to the world that it stands firm on principles of discipline, integrity, and unity. Its armed forces showcased unmatched skill and professionalism, its media upheld credibility in the face of widespread disinformation, and its people stood resolutely united against external aggression. Pakistan’s responsible conduct effectively neutralised decades of propaganda portraying it as a sponsor of terrorism. It soon became evident that there were no longer any willing takers for such false narratives.
Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq
At the heart of this conflict lies a powerful message from DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry: “We will never bow down to Indian hegemony. Pakistan wants peace but will never surrender to aggression.” This declaration embodies Pakistan’s unyielding spirit, a nation committed to peace, yet steadfast in defending its sovereignty and dignity against any form of aggression or domination. While India relied on deception, Pakistan responded with facts, precision, and unity proving that its strength lies not only in military capability but in moral clarity.
In this spirit, Pakistan honoured its martyrs and military heroes who defended the nation with unwavering courage. The resounding success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, literally meaning the “Impenetrable Wall”, exposed the hollowness of India’s Operation Sindoor and became a defining symbol of national resilience. To commemorate this historic achievement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared the 10th of May “Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq” (The Day of the Righteous Battle), a day to celebrate Pakistan’s moral and strategic triumph, and to reaffirm national solidarity in the face of propaganda and aggression.
The writer, who holds an MPhil in English Literature, is an educationist and youth activist affiliated with the PML-N.
