Amid heightened tensions with India, Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has expanded its crackdown on online disinformation and anti-state content. FIRs have now been registered against 11 individuals, including three women, for allegedly spreading false, provocative and defamatory content online targeting state institutions and national figures through social media and web TV platforms.

The NCCIA (Sindh Zone) confirmed that several arrests have been made, and over 500 social media accounts have been flagged for similar activity. The agency alleges that the suspects actively disseminated hostile narratives during the India–Pakistan conflict, aiming to incite public distrust and anxiety.

An NCCIA spokesperson stated: “The nominated individuals have been involved in spreading misleading propaganda targeting Pakistan’s armed forces and national leadership. Legal proceedings are in motion, and action against identified accounts is ongoing.”

Earlier this month, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Shabbir Ahmed was also arrested in Mansehra under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) following a speech critical of the government on Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The developments have raised alarm among rights groups. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the PECA Amendment Bill 2025, warning that its vague language around “fake news” could be used to silence journalists, activists, and political dissent. HRCP has called for a full parliamentary debate on the bill, which it says threatens basic civil liberties and freedom of expression.

Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/604563-five-booked-for-sharing-false-provocative-content-during-pakistan-india-tensions

https://arynews.tv/11-booked-for-anti-state-propaganda-on-social-media/

A viral video shows an Indian Rafale fighter jet shot down by Pakistan near the LoC in Poonch. The video is from June 2024 and shows an Indian Sukhoi Su-30 MKI crash in Nashik, Maharashtra, due to a technical fault, not related to the current conflict.

Multiple Indian outlets, including The Hindu, NDTV, and India Today, confirmed the incident was a training flight accident, with both pilots ejecting safely. The video was falsely re-circulated during the May 2025 military escalation between India and Pakistan.

Although Pakistan’s military has claimed it downed three Rafale jets, this specific video does not depict any such incident.

Source: https://www.sochfactcheck.com/video-does-not-show-rafale-jet-shot-down-by-pakistan-near-loc/

Indian police have arrested multiple individuals across Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Assam amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan, accusing them of promoting pro-Pakistan views or aiding espionage activities.

Among the arrested is Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science professor at Ashoka University, detained in Delhi over social media posts criticizing India’s military narrative around “Operation Sindoor.” He was booked under laws relating to communal harmony, secession, and religious insult. His remarks on a Muslim army officer and Hindutva politics drew sharp backlash from BJP leaders and the Haryana Women’s Commission. Critics, including ThePrint, condemned the arrest as a violation of constitutional freedoms.

Separately, travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel ‘Travel With Jo’, was arrested in Hisar under the Official Secrets Act. Authorities claim she transmitted sensitive information to Pakistani operatives and had visited Pakistan twice. Her family denies all allegations.

Indian media also reported the arrest of several civilians, including students and security personnel, allegedly linked to a Pakistan-based espionage network. Names include Guzala and Banu Nasreena from Punjab, and Arman from Haryana, accused of facilitating SIM card transfers and money laundering for operatives.

In Assam, police, acting on army intelligence, busted a fake SIM card racket allegedly involved in passing information to Pakistan. Seven were arrested, with raids extending to Telangana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Pakistani journalists have questioned the credibility of Indian reports, calling the arrests politically motivated and accusing Indian media of war-mongering. The New York Times also noted that Indian outlets amplified false narratives during the conflict, further complicating cross-border relations.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1911773

Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and fact-checkers have debunked viral claims circulating on social media alleging that Pakistan experienced a radiation leak in its northern regions. The rumour was fuelled by a fake document falsely attributed to Pakistani authorities, suggesting contamination and public health risks. However, no credible evidence supports these claims, and the document has been confirmed as fabricated.

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the ministry clarified that no such letter or bulletin had been released, saying, “The ministry has not issued any such letter or bulletin. The language and style of the fake document do not match the ministry’s standard drafting protocols.” The spokesperson also urged the public to avoid circulating the false information: “We urge the public to ignore this fake letter and refrain from spreading it. Always verify information through official, authenticated sources before sharing.”

A viral video circulating on social media claims that former U.S. President Donald Trump mocked Pakistan in response to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The claim is false.

The clip, featuring Trump saying “I need water. Help me,” is from a 2016 campaign rally in Texas, where he mocked fellow Republican Marco Rubio, not Pakistan. The footage, shared widely across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, has been used falsely to misinform the audience about the recent India-Pakistan escalation.

Soch Fact Check traced the original video to February 27, 2016, first published by CNN and NBC. At no point does Trump reference Pakistan or the Indus Waters Treaty.

Following India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which included airstrikes and the suspension of the 1960 treaty, Trump’s actual statements focused on de-escalation. He emphasized his close ties with both countries and called for peace, eventually announcing the May 10 ceasefire via Truth Social.

Source: https://www.sochfactcheck.com/trump-did-not-mock-pakistan-over-indus-waters-treaty-dispute/

On May 8, Indian broadcaster Zee Rajasthan News aired a photo during live coverage of the India–Pakistan conflict, falsely claiming it showed a Pakistani pilot captured by Indian forces. The image was later found to be unrelated and originates from Turkey.

The false claim was widely circulated on social media and remains viewable on Zee Rajasthan News’ official YouTube channel. However, a reverse image search revealed that the photo was taken in December 2016 in Diyarbakir, Turkey, after a Turkish F-16 jet crashed and the pilot safely ejected. The original image, published by Getty Images, shows Turkish military personnel securing the crash site.

Fact-checkers confirmed the misattribution, labeling the viral image as misinformation. The incident has raised fresh concerns about media accountability and the role of disinformation during high-stakes geopolitical conflicts.

Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/604567-fact-check-viral-pakistani-pilot-photo-is-actually-from-turkey

India has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Chinese news agency Xinhua, Global Times, and Turkey’s TRT World amid accusations of spreading disinformation during the recent military escalation with Pakistan.

The move follows claims by India that foreign media misreported events, including a disputed story that Pakistan downed Indian fighter jets, information India labeled as false. The Indian Embassy in China called out Global Times for publishing unverified claims attributed to Xinhua.

India has reportedly directed X to block around 8,000 accounts, including some Indian media outlets and journalists, raising press freedom concerns. While China and Turkey have voiced support for Pakistan, India has yet to confirm whether these foreign outlets are part of the blocked list.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/india-blocks-chinese-turkish-news-agencies-from-x/a-72536227