A wave of misinformation has flooded social media platforms, particularly X, following recent military strikes between India and Pakistan. Many posts, attracting millions of views, falsely claim to depict events related to these strikes. Among these misleading clips, one had over 400,000 views and purporting to show an explosion from a Pakistani response actually turned out to be footage from the 2020 Beirut Port explosion.
Experts, including Eliot Higgins from Bellingcat, indicate that misinformation tends to proliferate significantly during times of heightened tension or crisis. He notes that algorithm-driven platforms often prioritize engaging content over accurate information, leading to the rapid spread of dramatic footage. One viral video gained over 3 million views in a short time, misleadingly claiming to show the aftermath of India’s strikes, yet it depicted Israeli airstrikes in Gaza from October 2023 instead.
The misinformation not only encompasses videos but also images falsely attributed to recent military operations. For instance, an image claiming to show a Pakistani Air Force operation from May 6, 2025, was actually a screengrab from a video game. Additionally, while the Pakistani military claimed to have destroyed several Indian aircraft, users shared unrelated videos falsely depicting wreckage from different previous incidents, showcasing how easily misinformation can intertwine with genuine news.
This situation underscores the critical importance of validating information, especially during volatile circumstances. Misinformation can exacerbate tensions and mistrust between countries. As tensions continue, it becomes even more imperative for individuals and organizations to verify the authenticity of posts and reports circulated online. The potential for misinformation to escalate conflicts raises awareness about the need for responsible content sharing on social media platforms.