Amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, social media has been flooded with unverified claims and visuals. Most recently, Pakistan-based handles circulated an image claiming the Pakistan Army intercepted an Indian UAV (drone) in Gujranwala on the night of May 8. But the claim doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

Here’s the truth:

According to the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit, the viral image is not from Gujranwala and not related to India. The image being circulated actually originates from the Ukraine-Russia conflict in 2022, and was used in international media reports, including Newsweek.

A reverse image search confirms that the image was used in a 2022 report covering Iranian drones downed in Ukraine.

What about the videos of missiles over Gujranwala?

Several clips posted online showed what appeared to be missiles flying over the city at night, accompanied by loud explosions. Pakistani media claimed that an Indian drone had entered Pakistani airspace and was intercepted by the Gujranwala Cantonment air defence system. However, no official confirmation has been issued by either the Indian Ministry of Defence or the Pakistani military.

Earlier Misinformation:

This isn’t the first time such claims have been debunked. Earlier this week, PIB had flagged another piece of misinformation, tweeting:

“Pakistan Propaganda Alert!
Pakistan-based handles are spreading old videos falsely alleging strikes on a military base in Amritsar.”

This further demonstrates a pattern of misleading content being pushed during heightened bilateral tensions.

Conclusion:

  • The drone image is from the Ukraine conflict (2022) — not from Pakistan.

  • No Indian drone interception in Gujranwala has been confirmed by any official source.

  • Old and unrelated visuals are being used to push false narratives online.

  • Always rely on official and credible sources before believing or sharing such claims.

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