S-400 destroyed by Pakistan? Here's the government's official fact check

Social media posts claiming that Pakistan destroyed India’s S-400 air defence system are false, the Indian government has clarified. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit on Saturday said that the claims are baseless and urged people not to fall for misinformation.

Government calls S400 claim ‘fake’

The PIB issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), dismissing the viral posts. “Posts circulating on social media claim that Pakistan has destroyed an Indian S-400 air defence system. This claim is FAKE. Reports of destruction or any damage to an S-400 system are baseless,” it said, using the hashtag #PIBFactCheck.

The clarification came after multiple users shared unverified videos and graphics suggesting that the Indian military’s defence system had been damaged in a cross-border incident.

Earlier, power grid attack claim was also denied

This is not the first time in recent days that the PIB Fact Check team has flagged misinformation linked to India-Pakistan tensions. On Saturday, the unit also dismissed claims that a cyber attack from Pakistan had damaged 70% of India’s electricity grid.

“Social media posts are asserting that a cyber attack by #Pakistan has caused 70% of India's electricity grid to become dysfunctional. This claim is FAKE. Please remain vigilant and do not fall for panic-inducing misinformation,” PIB said in another post.

Tensions fuel fake content online

These false claims are being circulated at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan remain high. India had recently conducted precision strikes on terror camps across the border, following the April 22 terror attack on Indian forces in Pahalgam.

Since then, several social media accounts from Pakistan have circulated misleading content. Most of these posts attempt to provoke fear or create confusion among Indian users.

Government urges citizens to be cautious

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has also issued an advisory to warn users against spreading or believing false content.

“Critical online safety alert: Always follow cybersecurity precautions. Stay cautious while online—don’t fall for traps or misinformation. Be patriotic, stay vigilant, stay safe,” MeitY said.

Authorities continue to monitor and counter misinformation online, especially posts that try to manipulate public opinion during sensitive times.

Fact-checking efforts continue

The government has asked users to verify any sensitive claims before sharing them further. It has encouraged people to follow only trusted sources for news and information, especially during periods of national security concern.

The PIB Fact Check unit has been actively investigating and responding to multiple fake news items since Wednesday, including videos and posts linked to cross-border tensions.