(Liberty Shield Network) –
As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan, the battle is playing out not only along their contested border but also across social media feeds. Alongside reports of actual skirmishes, a flood of recycled videos, out-of-context images and emotionally charged posts is spreading rapidly online, adding confusion to an already volatile situation.
One widely shared Facebook video shows a gas cylinder truck engulfed in flames, captioned with calls for revenge and claims that the Indian army is preparing to retaliate. In reality, the footage shows an unrelated gas truck accident in Mumbai earlier this year — far from the conflict zone.
Another viral post features a female fighter pilot climbing into a jet, identifying her as Col. Sophia Karachi and suggesting she led strikes on terrorist camps. The video, however, actually depicts U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe performing at an air show in Nevada. While Col. Karachi is a real figure who has spoken with the Indian military, she was not involved in the footage being circulated.
These are not isolated incidents. Since fighting began, researchers and journalists have documented a wave of misleading content across both Indian and Pakistani media. Some of the most shared clips originate not from South Asia at all but from unrelated conflicts in Gaza or Ukraine.
One major Pakistani news outlet recently aired footage of an Israeli airstrike, miscaptioned as a current Indian attack. In response to the growing volume of online content, India’s official fact-checking bureau has ramped up efforts to clarify viral claims, while WhatsApp has launched a hotline to help users verify suspicious videos and images.
In moments like this, experts recommend pausing before reacting to viral content. Asking simple questions — who originally posted this, when and where was it filmed, and what emotions is it designed to provoke — can help readers stay grounded amid a flood of digital noise.
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