Government debunks viral 'Operation Sindoor' WhatsApp message as fake

A viral WhatsApp message claiming to be from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and warning of a potential conflict with Pakistan under the title “Operation Sindoor” has been debunked as fake by the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit ( PIB Fact Check).

The misleading message, which appeared to include a verified link to the Ministry’s WhatsApp Channel, sparked public concern due to its authoritative tone and detailed instructions for civilian preparedness.

Official clarification

PIB Fact Check issued the following statement on social media:

“A message is circulating on #WhatsApp in the name of @DefenceMinIndia giving instructions for civil preparedness in view of the India-Pakistan situation.
❌ This message is #fake
✅ The Government of India has issued NO such instructions.”

Fake message shared with verified link of MoD WhatsApp Channel

A message is circulating on #WhatsApp in the name of @DefenceMinIndia giving instructions for civil preparedness in view of the India-Pakistan situation#PIBFactCheck

❌ This message is #fake

✅ The Government… pic.twitter.com/UevcQUNVVl

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025

What the message claimed

The viral message warned of possible military conflict between May 15 and June 10, advising citizens to:

• Keep a first aid kit ready
• Ensure vehicles have enough fuel for 100–150 km
• Apply transparent tape to windows
• Store gas cylinders safely
• Keep identification documents accessible
• Stock three days’ worth of drinking water
• Keep two buckets of water for emergencies, such as firefighting

The message mimicked official government communication, referencing the Defence Ministry and including a WhatsApp channel link, adding to its apparent legitimacy.

Government response

The government confirmed that no such message was issued, and no public advisory on civil preparedness related to the India-Pakistan situation has been released.

What you should do

• Do not forward or share the message.
• Verify information through trusted sources like @PIBFactCheck or official government websites.
• Report fake messages on WhatsApp or other platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Context

On Saturday night, Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement, according to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Indian armed forces are responding appropriately.