Fact Check: India says Pakistan did not target civilians? No, Pak misled using Vyomika Singh’s edited clip

Hyderabad: As tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor on May 7, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, both countries held regular press conferences and briefings to outline their respective positions.

On May 11, during a press conference live-streamed on the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) YouTube channel of the Pakistan Armed Forces, a video clip featuring IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh was played.

The clip begins at the 33:05-minute mark and features Wing Commander Singh stating, “Pakistan military continued provocation, carrying out aggressive actions, employing multiple threat vectors all along the western border. Pakistan employed UCAV drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions and fighter aircrafts to target military infrastructure. Pakistan military also resorted to air intrusions using drones and firing of heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Air intrusions and several harassment attacks were also attempted from Srinagar to Nalia at more than 26 locations. Damage was sustained to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj. There were also several high-speed missile attacks noticed with heavy damage to other military stations in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, and Akhnoor sectors continued. Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistani military.”

DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry played the clip of Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, suggesting that the Pakistan military did not target civilians, by referring to the statement made by the Indian wing commander, he said that his claim has also been acknowledged by the Indian Army.

From the 34:20-minute mark, DG ISPR Lt Gen Chaudhry could be heard saying, “Did you find from the Indian statement that Pakistan attacked anything other than military targets? No. Did any international media, even Indian media, what they are reporting? Precise targeting of military installations and posts. We told you that we do not target civilians. Our religion does not allow us. Our culture does not allow us. Our professionalism of the armed forces does not allow us. That we will never target civilians. They are even acknowledging that. They are also saying that once they received the message, once they got the message, then who asked for non-escalation, who requested non-escalation, that the things should go down. It is for all to see.”

However, let us find out how true this claim is.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The clip featuring Wing Commander Singh was heavily edited. In the original version, she clearly stated that civilian areas were also targeted by Pakistan. Parts about the extent of damage to Indian military installations and the call for de-escalation were also edited during the press briefing by the Pakistan Armed Forces.

We reviewed the YouTube channel of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and found that the clip originated from a press briefing live-streamed on May 10 about Operation Sindoor. In the original video, Singh’s statement begins at the 6:35-minute mark.

Along with the video, we also examined the official transcript of the press briefing, which further confirmed that the clip broadcast by Pakistan was selectively edited to omit key portions of her remarks regarding civilian areas being targeted.

Claim about Pakistan not targeting civilian areas in India

Singh could be heard saying, “Pakistani military continued with its provocations, carrying out aggressive actions employing multiple threat vectors all along the western border. Pakistan employed UCAV, drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions and fighter aircrafts to target civilian areas and military infrastructure. Pakistan military also resorted to air intrusions using drones and firing of heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control.”

From this excerpt, it is clear that Singh had also mentioned attacks on civilian areas, which were edited out of the clip played during Pakistan’s press conference.

Edited clip manipulates extent of damage to Indian installations

In the clip, the wing commander continued, “Along the international border and the Line of Control, air intrusions and several harassment attacks were also attempted from Srinagar till Naliya at more than 26 locations. Indian Armed Forces successfully neutralised these threats and a majority of the vectors. However, limited damage was sustained to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj. There were also several high-speed missile attacks noticed subsequently after 0140 hours in the night at several air bases in Punjab.”

The clip played by Pakistan does not include Singh’s statement that the IAF had neutralised the majority of the threats. The original video clearly showed her saying that ‘limited damage’ was sustained to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj. However, the edited version omits the word ‘limited’, thereby creating the false impression of extensive damage at these stations.

Also, the original video showed Singh stating that high-speed missile attacks were noticed during the night at several air bases in Punjab. The edited clip falsely presents her as saying that missile attacks caused heavy damage to military stations in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Akhnoor sectors.

The word ‘heavy’ was taken from the statement of the wing commander when she said, “Pakistan military also resorted to air intrusions using drones and firing of heavy calibre weapons along the Line of Control.”

Further, Singh added, “In a deplorable, cowardly act, targeting of civilian infrastructure also had taken place where Pakistan attacked the medicare centre and school premises at the air bases of Srinagar, Awantipora and Udhampur, yet again displaying irresponsible targeting of our civilian infrastructure.

In a swift and calibrated response, the Indian Armed Forces carried out precision attacks only on identified military targets. These included technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas. Pakistan military targets at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian were engaged using air-launched precision weapons from our fighter aircrafts. Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation base were also targeted using precision munitions. While carrying out these responses, India ensured minimum collateral damage.

Pakistan has also attempted to execute a continued malicious misinformation campaign with claims of destruction of the Indian S-400 system at Adampur, destruction of airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa, the BrahMos base at Nagrota, RT gun positions at Dehrangyari and Chandigarh Forward Ammunition Depot, with heavy damages to other military stations being propagated on social media. India unequivocally rejects these false narratives being spread by Pakistan.”

These three segments are completely missing from the edited video.

The original video further confirmed that Singh did, in fact, state that civilian infrastructure, including a medicare centre and school premises, was attacked by Pakistan at the air bases of Srinagar, Awantipora and Udhampur. Her statement regarding India’s calibrated military response and Pakistan’s misinformation campaign, including claims about the destruction of the S-400 system, multiple airfields and key bases, was also deliberately omitted.

Who called for de-escalation first?

In the video, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh concluded by saying, “Along the Line of Control also, Pakistan has attempted multiple air intrusions using drones and conducted shelling using heavy-calibre RT guns, targeting civilian infrastructure and killing some civilians. Heavy exchange of artillery mortars and small-arm fire in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Akhnoor sectors continued. The Indian Army has responded effectively and proportionately, causing extensive damage to the Pakistan Army.

The Pakistan military has been observed to be moving its troops into forward areas, indicating an offensive intent to further escalate the situation. Indian Armed Forces remain in a high state of operational readiness. All hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to appropriately. Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan Military.”

In the context of Pakistan moving troops into forward areas, indicating offensive intent, Singh emphasised that India remains committed to non-escalation, provided Pakistan reciprocates. However, during the press conference, Chaudhry used only part of her statement to falsely suggest that India was the first to call for de-escalation.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the clip of IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh was heavily edited during a press meet by the Pakistan Armed Forces. Multiple segments were altered or omitted, and the video was used during Pakistan’s press conference as a tool for propaganda warfare.