Fact check: PIB debunks fake news about Indian Female Pilot being captured by Pakistan

Labeling the news as "fake," PIB clarified that the image being used to support the claim is old and unrelated to any recent events

Hyderabad: The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit has debunked a viral claim circulating on social media that a female pilot of the Indian Air Force has been captured by Pakistan. Labeling the news as “fake,” PIB clarified that the image being used to support the claim is old and unrelated to any recent events.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PIB stated, “❌ FAKE NEWS! ✅ The image being circulated is from June 2023 and thus OLD!” The image in question is linked to a past incident involving an IAF Kiran trainer jet crash in Karnataka, which occurred in June 2023.

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Viral claim about Indian female Air Force pilot captured by Pakistan🚨#PIBFactCheck

❌ FAKE NEWS!

✅ The image being circulated is from June 2023 and thus OLD!
🔗https://t.co/eZdCZMhKLN

🔎Misinformation is being spread by pro-Pakistan handles. Verify before you share. Don’t… pic.twitter.com/P9GsmxSmyU

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025

The false claim is reportedly being propagated by several pro-Pakistan social media handles, as part of a broader disinformation campaign. PIB urged citizens to stay vigilant and verify news before sharing it, warning against falling for such propaganda.

This clarification comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with misinformation posing a growing threat to national security and public perception. Authorities continue to monitor and counter such attempts to mislead the public through fake narratives.

The government advises users to follow official channels for verified updates.