Fact Check: Pakistani terrorist captured at Hyderabad airport? No, video shows CISF mock drill

Hyderabad: A video claiming to show a Pakistani terrorist being arrested at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Shamshabad in Hyderabad, is going viral on social media.

The viral video has two clips: in the first, a man is seen lying on the ground with two uniformed security personnel standing beside him. The second clip shows a man with his hands bound being escorted into a van, with several uniformed security personnel standing nearby. In both clips, bystanders can be seen calmly watching and recording the scenes.

The video was shared on YouTube with the title, ‘Rajiv Gandhi international airport Pakistan terrorist. (sic)’ (Archive)

The same video was shared by another YouTube user with the caption, “be alert Telangana Hyderabad guys. (sic)” (Archive)

Another video of the same incident from a different angle was shared on Instagram. The video was posted on May 11, with the caption, “Police arrest at Hyderabad International Shamshabad Airport. Wait for the official statement for full details.” (Translated from Hindi) (Archive)

Another YouTube upload making a similar claim can be seen here. (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The video does not show a Pakistani terrorist being caught at the Shamshabad airport in Hyderabad. It was a mock drill.

Keyword searches did not show any news reports or credible social media posts showing that a terrorist was caught at RGIA Shamshabad.

We contacted the Shamshabad airport authorities to verify the information. The airport spokesperson told NewsMeter that the video was filmed at RGIA during a CISF mock drill and that it does not show a Pakistan terrorist being captured.

“An anti-hijacking mock exercise was conducted by the CISF in coordination with the SFG at the Arrivals section of RGIA. This mock drill exercise took place on May 10 afternoon,” said the airport spokesperson.

The official X handle of RGIA Hyderabad also issued a passenger advisory on May 13, terming the viral claims fake and misleading. The advisory read, “The visuals are from a mock drill exercise conducted as part of preparedness measures due to the ongoing situation. Please note that operations are normal at #RGIAirport. Heightened security measures have been put in place for the safety of passengers.”

The video does not show a Pakistani terrorist being arrested at Hyderabad airport. It shows a mock drill operation being conducted by the CISF personnel.

Therefore, NewsMeter concludes that the viral claim is false.