New Delhi: In an era of rapid digital information, the line between real and fake news often gets blurred. And one such incident occurred recently when a claim gained traction across social media platforms, especially ‘X’, claiming that New Delhi had aided the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in an offensive operation against Iranian interests.
Though the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit has denied the allegation through a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) but the narrative that went viral directly questioned India’s long-standing foreign policy of neutrality. This sparked immediate concern among diplomatic circles and the public alike.
The false information started to spread from unverified sources on social media accounts and even few Pakistani propaganda networks claimed that the Israeli fighter jets utilised the Indian Air Force’s Naliya airbase in Gujarat for refuelling and logistical support.
The move was clearly a strike on India’s strategic Chabahar port. Considering the seriousness of the accusation, the Indian government moved swiftly to address the escalating misinformation.
PIB factchecks claim
The PIB Fact Check unit on April 8, 2026 posted on its social media handle and the claim. It labelled it as entirely a fabricated move against India. The government aimed to neutralise the narrative that seemed designed to drive fraction between New Delhi and Tehran.
🚨 Pakistani propaganda accounts are claiming that the Indian Air Force’s Naliya airbase in Gujarat provided refueling and logistic support to Israeli jets in a recent Israeli strike on Iran’s Chabahar port. #PIBFactCheck:
❌ This claim is #FAKE.
📣 This narrative is part… pic.twitter.com/b4nNuWIAjI
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 8, 2026
The statement further highlighted that this was a ‘deliberate disinformation attempt’ intended to provoke regional tensions and create confusion regarding India’s role in the West Asian crisis.
Information warfare gets serious
As the conflict in West Asia continues to evolve, navigating information is very crucial for every country. India has become a frequent target of ‘Information Warfare’ as similar debunked stories have previously claimed that Indian airspace was used by U.S. forces and all of which have been traced back to efforts to paint New Delhi as an enemy to allies nations.
The authorities have also urged citizens to rely only on official handles to verify the news before sharing. This latest fact-check serves as a reminder that in modern warfare the battle for the narrative is as intense as the conflict on the ground.