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The Indian government on Saturday debunked false claims that an Indian Air Force pilot has been captured in Pakistan, which were widely circulated on several pro-Pakistan social media

handles. The clarification was issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit amidst heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan following 'Operation Sindoor', which

was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people on April 22.

“Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured,” PIB Fact Check confirmed on an X post. “Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader

Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. This claim is FAKE!,” it said.

Earlier in the day, PIB also debunked several other fake claims circulating on social media, including attacks on Delhi airport, Nagrota air base and Bhatinda airfield, which were shared by

several pro-Pakistan accounts to fabricate stories of miraculous military victories.  

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, at a press briefing today, also debunked Pakistan’s campaign of peddling lies and misinformation. He refuted reports of Pakistan destroying India's air bases,

including the air defence system S-400, calling it "totally false"

“The claims made about attacking and destroying Indian military installations are completely false. The claim about Sirsa air force station, Suratgarh air force base, along with the S-400

base in Adampur being destroyed is completely false,” Misri said, exhorting the nation not to be misled by the lies peddled by Pakistan. Images of the aforementioned air force bases, which

were functioning normally, were also shown.

Misri also noted that the Pakistani Army spokesperson takes great joy in the fact that the Indian public criticises the government of India regarding various issues. “It may be a surprise to

 Pakistan to see citizens criticising their own government. That is the hallmark of an open and functioning democracy. Pakistan’s unfamiliarity with that should be unsurprising,” he

explained.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has decided to suspend flight operations at 32 airports until May 15 in the backdrop of rising tensions with Pakistan. The affected airports are includes

Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali

(Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.

Aviation companies have advised passengers to arrive early to accommodate potential delays at security checkpoints. They have also been directed to stay informed and check flight status via

their respective airlines or the official website.

Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air have urged passengers across India to arrive at their respective airports at least 3 hours before scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and

boarding. Check-in closes 75 minutes before departure.