Operation Sindoor was launched as a response to the attack that took place in Pahalgam, on April 22, killing 26 civilians. During the press briefing on May 7, India clarified its response as focused, measured and non-escalatory. It was specifically mentioned that Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted. It was also reiterated that any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response.
Pakistan’s mainstream media outlets have systematically twisted facts, misled their audiences, and shielded terror actors behind a façade of patriotic propaganda. What should have been a moment of international reckoning against terror has instead been manipulated into a disinformation war, where truth is the first casualty.
Drowning the Truth: Grossly Exaggerated Claims
Nearly every major Pakistani news channel such as Geo News, Dunya News, ARY News, and SAMAA TV have been repeating the same unverifiable, inflated claim: that the Pakistan Air Force has shot down Indian drones.
For instance:
• Geo News alleges 25–29 drones were intercepted without providing visual evidence or independent verification.
• Duniya News inflated that number to 32 drones
• ARY News claimed 25 drones were shot down, and also added drama by naming Israeli-made Harop drones allegedly used by India
With no neutral tone and gross misrepresentation of facts, these are coordinated attempts to portray Pakistan as both the victim. There is no mention that these drones were targeting terrorist launchpads, not civilian zones.
2. Civilian Casualties vs. Terror Targets: Distorting Strike Locations
Pakistani networks repeatedly emphasize “civilian casualties” without offering concrete details or differentiating between civilian zones and terror camps:
• HUM News and SAMAA TV extensively highlight emergency room visuals and civilian interviews from cities like Karachi and Lahore.
• Not a single channel admits that many of the targeted structures were identified Indian-designated terror facilities- the home to Jaish-e-Mohammed elements and Lashkar-e-Taiba remnants.
This narrative creates false equivalence between targeted anti-terror operations and indiscriminate aggression.
3.Denial of Cross-Border Terror Links
• Dawn News outrightly denied Pakistan launching any attacks or harbored militants involved in terror strikes inside India.
• ARY News and Duniya News call Indian media reports of Pakistani activity in Jammu & Kashmir “fake news” and “propaganda”.
None of these channels mention terrorists reported killed during Operation Sindoor. These deaths would validate the strike’s strategic importance, yet completely censored in Pakistani coverage.
4. ‘Faisal Masjid Attack’ and Spread of Misinformation
While SAMAA TV clarified the viral ‘Faisal Masjid drone attack’ was a hoax, this also reveals another contradiction. The same channel has been warning about misinformation, are active agents of state propaganda when it comes to denying Pakistan’s role in harboring terror groups.
5. Theatrics over Karachi Port: From Strategic Targets to Sensationalism
Express News ran dramatic segments alleging Indian missile strikes on the Karachi Port, claiming Pakistan Navy installations were targeted. Yet, no verified information is provided. Instead, terms like ‘shameful attack’ and ‘inevitable clash’ are used by the DG ISPR, Pakistan.
6.International Appeals and Victim Narrative
Geo News echoes Pakistan’s diplomatic offensive at the United Nations, demanding condemnation of India. Yet, does not acknowledge India’s strikes followed not only the Pahalgam attack, but credible intelligence.
The Pakistani media is focused not on truth, but on theatrics- turning verified anti-terror strikes into emotional anchors of nationalistic rage.
Instead of holding power to account, Pakistani media has functioned as an uncritical extension of the state and military apparatus. It has:
• Suppressed legitimate military outcomes of Operation Sindoor
• Masked the presence of globally sanctioned terror leaders
• Fabricated or inflated success stories to portray Pakistan as a wounded but heroic victim
• Denied any connection to the Pahalgam massacre
• And fueled regional instability by spreading half-truths and strategic lies
Truth always prevails
In stark contrast to the narratives presented by major Pakistani news outlets, which consistently deny offensive actions and position Pakistan as a victim of unprovoked Indian aggression, factual developments from the ground reveal a different picture. On the intervening night of May 8 and 9, 2025, the Indian Army officially released a video confirming the shooting down of Pakistani drones along the Western Border, in response to multiple coordinated attacks by Pakistan Armed Forces using drones and other munitions.
The Indian Army’s statement clearly outlined the following:
• Pakistan launched a barrage of drone and missile attacks across the western front
• There were numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir
• Indian forces effectively repulsed the drone intrusions and delivered a firm response to the CFVs.
This official statement from the Indian Army clearly shows that Pakistan took aggressive action by launching drone and missile attacks, which goes against what Pakistani media has been claiming that Pakistan was only defending itself. While Pakistani channels continue to deny any wrongdoing, the Indian Army’s response highlights the need to protect the country’s borders and challenges these false claims.
The real evidence, including military footage and official updates shows that Pakistan started the attacks, and India responded in a controlled but strong manner. This raises serious questions about the truthfulness and motives behind how Pakistani media has been presenting the situation.