President Droupadi Murmu recently posed for a photograph with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh at the Ambala Air Force Base, effectively dispelling false claims made by Pakistani media that the pilot had been captured during Operation Sindoor. The event took place on Wednesday, where Singh, who hails from Varanasi, confidently briefed the President on the Rafale fighter jet, showcasing India's military capabilities.

The misinformation campaign began after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled areas in response to a deadly attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Following this, Pakistani outlets falsely reported that several Indian aircraft, including Rafale jets, had been shot down and that Singh was a prisoner of war. The Indian government quickly refuted these claims, with the Press Information Bureau stating, "Pro-Pakistan social media handles claimed an Indian female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, has been captured in Pakistan. This claim is fake!"

During her sortie, which lasted about 30 minutes and reached altitudes of 15,000 feet, President Murmu expressed her pride in India's defense capabilities, stating, "The sortie on Rafale is an unforgettable experience for me. This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nation's defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force."

The photograph of Murmu and Singh standing beside the Rafale jet served as a powerful rebuttal to Pakistan's propaganda. The Indian Air Force confirmed that no Indian aircraft were lost during the operation, while Pakistan reportedly lost six of its own, including four F-16s and a large surveillance plane. This incident highlights the resilience of the Indian armed forces and the importance of accurate information in the face of misinformation campaigns.