Claim under scrutiny: The Indian Air Force (IAF) today silenced cynical naysayers, who alleged it did not use the weapons it claimed to have used during the strikes deep inside Pakistan in 2019 Balakot and during Operation Sindoor last year.

These claims are false, misleading, or unverified.

Our review of credible sources shows no official public verification that such weapons were used beyond what the IAF has disclosed. In the absence of independent corroboration, the assertion remains unverified.

How misinformation spread:

• Old or miscaptioned footage circulated as Balakot material.
• Out of context quotes and empirical framing by some media outlets that linked the incident to Pakistan without substantiation.
• Social media amplification by accounts with nationalist or sensational agendas, sometimes using bots or misleading captions.

Why the false linkage to Pakistan: The ongoing India-Pakistan rivalry creates a fertile environment for empirical narratives that attribute every claim to cross-border actions, regardless of proof.

Verification tips: Check official statements from the defence ministry and IAF, corroborate with independent reputable outlets, and beware of stock footage or captions taken out of context.

In conclusion, the claims are false, misleading, or unverified, and responsible reporting requires caution before tying occurrences to Pakistan.