India and Pakistan are not just fighting on the battlefield — they are waging an aggressive information war after deadly air strikes and escalating border tensions on May 7, 2025. Each nation is pushing its own version of events, raising serious questions: What really happened? And who’s telling the truth?
🔴 What Happened on May 7?
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India’s Side:
India claims it launched precision strikes on nine locations targeting “terrorist infrastructure” in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians last month. Officials said there was no collateral damage. -
Pakistan’s Side:
Pakistan says Indian missiles struck six cities, including Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing 31 civilians, including a 3-year-old girl. A health center was also hit.
⚔️ Were Fighter Jets Shot Down?
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Pakistan’s Claim:
The Pakistani military says it downed five Indian fighter jets, all within Indian territory. -
India’s Response:
Indian security sources confirmed three jets crashed in India-administered Kashmir — but did not confirm if they were Indian or Pakistani aircraft. The Indian embassy in China called reports of downed Indian jets “disinformation.”
🚩Did Indian Soldiers Raise the White Flag?
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Pakistan’s Claim:
Pakistan posted on its official social media that Indian soldiers raised a white flag of surrender at the Line of Control (LoC). -
India’s Silence:
Indian officials have not publicly addressed the claim.
🕊️ What World Powers Are Saying
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Global powers, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Iran, have urged both sides to de-escalate and return to diplomacy.
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Iran has offered to mediate, citing strong ties with both countries.
📚 History Repeats: A Pattern of Conflicting Claims
This is not the first time India and Pakistan have disputed battlefield outcomes:
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2019 Balakot Strikes:
India claimed it killed JeM terrorists; Pakistan said only trees were hit. -
2016 Uri Attack:
India announced surgical strikes; Pakistan called them an illusion and mere cross-border fire.
Experts say these conflicting narratives are part of a long-running strategy by both nations to shape public opinion and rally domestic support.
“Controlling the narrative is fundamental to the 77-year India-Pakistan conflict,” says Madiha Afzal, a South Asia expert at Brookings.
🧠 Why This Matters
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Both countries have nuclear weapons.
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Misinformation and narrative wars can fuel public anger, limit diplomatic space, and increase the risk of full-scale war.
📌 Key Takeaway
While bombs fall across borders, an equally fierce war of words rages online and on airwaves. With both governments clinging to their versions of truth, independent verification is nearly impossible — and the truth becomes the first casualty.
