War Fog and Unverified Claims Fuel India-Pakistan Tensions
Degence MInister Rajnath Singh heads of Armed Forces in a meeting on Friday (Image credit Spl arrangement)
Unverified Claims Up the Ante in India-Pakistan Conflicts
By Manish Anand
NEW DELHI, May 9, 2025 – As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, a fog of war—amplified by unverified claims and media sensationalism—has clogged communication channels, leaving the public grappling with uncertainty.
US Vice President JD Vance, in a recent interview, described the situation as a “war” but stressed that it’s “none of Washington’s business” to intervene in South Asia, signaling that the region is on its own to navigate this crisis.
Over the past 12 hours, television channels in India and Pakistan have competed to capture eyeballs with bombastic claims. In India, one outlet falsely reported that the Indian Navy had “bombed Karachi Port,” a claim briefly amplified by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on X before he deleted the post and cautioned against “fake news.”
Pakistani media matched the frenzy, with unverified reports of their own. Claims of the arrest of Army Chief General Asim Munir send the social media platforms on a tizzy. On X, posts like “Karachi Port bombed” and other exaggerated narratives went viral, muddying the information landscape.
Real-time footage and official statements confirm that Indian cities in the northern and western regions faced drone-mounted attacks, which the Indian Army says were neutralized.
Yet, with scant official information from either side, media outlets and individuals on X have filled the void with speculative and often inflammatory claims, heightening public anxiety.
Vance’s remarks underscore Washington’s disengagement, as the Trump administration focuses on Middle Eastern conflicts and domestic tariff disputes. This hands-off approach gives Prime Minister Narendra Modi strategic leeway to press India’s objectives against Pakistan.
A now-infamous X post from Pakistan’s Department of Economic Affairs, requesting international financial aid due to “heavy losses,” triggered a meme fest online, highlighting the chaotic information environment.
In India, precautionary measures, such as drills in the National Capital Region (NCR), have kept residents on edge. Local police instructed housing societies to keep maintenance offices on standby, injecting a sense of uncertainty into daily life.
Meanwhile, India’s official statements remain measured, referring only to “Operation Sindoor,” a targeted campaign against terrorist infrastructure. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing an all-party meeting, confirmed that Operation Sindoor is ongoing and has achieved key objectives, including the neutralization of several terrorists, notably the killer of American journalist Daniel Pearl.
However, India appears to be pursuing additional strategic goals, capitalizing on favorable conditions. The lack of clear communication from both governments, coupled with rampant misinformation, risks escalating the conflict beyond control. As television channels and social media continue to fan the flames, the need for restraint and verified information has never been more urgent.
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
About The Author
