Was IAF pilot Shivangi Singh caught in Pakistan? Know the truth

IAF Pilot Shivangi Singh: A sensational and completely false claim is currently circulating on social media, suggesting that Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, the female pilot of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has been captured by Pakistan. This rumour has caused widespread panic and confusion, but both the Indian government and the IAF have firmly denied the allegations.

The Role of PIB in Addressing Fake News

The PIB’s fact-check unit played a key role in dispelling the misinformation.The PIB's official tweet reads, "Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. This claim is FAKE!"

Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured🚨

Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan.#PIBFactCheck

❌ This claim is FAKE!#IndiaFightsPropaganda@MIB_India… pic.twitter.com/V8zovpSRYk

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

IAF Confirms the Truth

The Indian Air Force (IAF) also issued an official statement, strongly refuting the claims. According to the IAF, the story suggesting that Shivangi Singh’s plane was shot down in Pakistan and that she was captured is nothing but baseless propaganda being spread on social media. The IAF confirmed that these allegations had no truth.

How the Rumour Spread

A video accompanying the fake news, showing a female pilot being captured, was also widely circulated. However, investigations revealed that the woman shown in the video had no connection to Shivangi Singh, and the footage was manipulated to create confusion and spread fear.

Who is Shivangi Singh?

Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India's first woman pilot to fly the Rafale fighter jet, hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Her dream of becoming a pilot began when she visited the Air Force Museum in Delhi at the age of nine. She was commissioned into the IAF in 2017 and initially flew the MiG-21 Bison. In 2020, she became the first woman to be selected to fly the Rafale after rigorous training. Shivangi is currently posted in the prestigious 'Golden Arrow' squadron at Ambala Airbase and has represented India in international exercises, such as ‘Orion’ in France.

A Planned Propaganda Strategy

The false claim about Shivangi Singh’s capture appears to be part of a deliberate and well-planned strategy to spread misinformation. The video, which claimed she was captured near Sialkot, was intended to make the story appear more credible by associating it with a well-known and respected figure.

The Rising Tide of Fake News in Wartime

In times of war, fake news and misleading stories tend to spread rapidly on social media, aiming to influence public opinion and the mindset of the enemy. During the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, false narratives such as these are being used to distort the truth. Such misinformation poses a threat to India’s global image, and Indian defense agencies are working tirelessly to expose these lies and share accurate information with the public. The government and defense forces are committed to countering these malicious attempts at spreading confusion and ensuring that the truth reaches the people.