Media misinterprets IAF promo video as proof of Balakot strikes

New Delhi : Prior to press conference on October 4, Indian Air Force released a promotional video about the Balakot airstrike that had happened in February this year as revenge to cowardly Pulwama terror attack. The representational image was misinterpreted as the proof video of Balakot airstrike.

There have been several questions posted on the authenticity of India's claims over the terror strike. India had been claiming that it successfully destroyed the terror camps located in Balakot; while Pakistan maintained that Indian planes only struck some trees in the area.

Media Misinterpretation

Republic TV played the footage as “IAF’s Balakot proof”. “It is high time we start speaking about what we have done,” declared the channel’s consulting editor Major Gaurav Arya. “In today’s world where social media and mainstream media are so active, it was also a weapon of war…I have not seen the video but I am aware of its content…They should make more such videos and spread awareness among the people and also amongst the enemies because they have been fed a certain diet of propaganda…”

ABP News described the video as “exclusive footage” and asserted, “Pakistan used to say that only trees were fallen but you can see the extent of damage caused by the IAF in terrorist camps…this video is proof” [translated from Hindi].

ZEE News also gave wrong information and clearly claimed the video to be the first footage of the Balakot airstrike. Its tweet and article headline called the video the “first footage which gives proof” of the Balakot airstrike. However, the channel later updated its article with correction.

Punjab Kesari wrote a headline in Hindi, “Airstrike video released. See how we entered Pakistan and killed terrorists.”