Fact Check: Viral CNN Infographic Claiming India Suffered Heavy Losses In ‘Operation Sindoor’ Is FAKE
The viral infographic falsely attributed to the American news channel CNN is fabricated. It falsely claims that India suffered significant losses, including fighter planes, air bases, drones, tanks, and air defence, compared to Pakistan.
- By: Abhishek Parashar
- Published: May 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
New Delhi (Vishvas News): After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India carried out air strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting several terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). A joint press conference by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs detailed the locations targeted during the operation. Amid this, a viral infographic, allegedly from American news channel CNN, is being widely shared with claims that India suffered greater losses than Pakistan in terms of army, tanks, fighter planes, drones, and air defence systems.
Vishvas News, in its investigation, found this claim to be fake and propaganda, and this infographic is fabricated. CNN has officially denied releasing any such graphic, and the Indian government has called the claims false. Notably, the government of India has not released any official details on ‘Operation Sindoor’ yet. Furthermore, contrary to Pakistani claims that the Adampur air base was destroyed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the base. Photos from the visit clearly show the air base, fighter planes, and air defence systems completely intact and functional.
What is viral?
Social media user ‘Harsh Chhikara’ shared the viral infographics with the caption, “If this is true then it is very bad, if this is a lie then the government should ban this channel. If it is not banned then people will believe it to be true.”
Many other users across different social media platforms have also shared this infographic with similar claims.
Investigation
Using general keywords and news searches, we did not find any such infographics on any official CNN platform. To verify further, we contacted CNN directly via email.
A CNN spokesperson confirmed that the infographic is fake, stating, “CNN has never broadcast infographics of this kind at any time.”
Our investigation indicates that the viral infographics are fake and fabricated.
Additionally, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has described this infographic as false and artificially created.
It is noteworthy that following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting a total of nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK.
These locations were specified in the official statement issued by the Government of India.
During the Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMO) press conference on Monday, Air Marshal AK Bharti clarified that all military bases across India are fully functional and operating without disruption.
In the same press conference, when asked by a journalist about the details of the operation, Air Marshal Bharti clarified that the details could not be disclosed right now due to the sensitive nature of the mission.
Addressing a follow-up question, he added, “We are in a combat situation and it causes losses. However, we accomplished all our objectives and all our pilots have returned home safely.”
Our investigation reveals that the claims made in the viral infographics are false, as no such official statement has been issued by the government of India.
On May 12, following his address to the nation, PM Modi visited the Adampur Air Base and interacted with the soldiers. This visit directly counters Pakistan’s propaganda claim that the base had been destroyed.
Photographs from this visit, shared via the PM’s official X handle, feature a fully operational air base in the background, along with deployed air defence systems and fighter jets, further confirming that the facility remains intact and active.
The reference to the destruction of an Indian air defence system in the viral graphics is fabricated.
Following ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistan has been circulating a series of misleading claims as part of a well-planned propaganda campaign. Multiple fact-check reports debunking these claims are available on the Vishvas News website. Some important fact-check reports can be read here, here and here.
Conclusion: The viral infographic falsely attributed to the American news channel CNN is fabricated. It falsely claims that India suffered significant losses, including fighter planes, air bases, drones, tanks, and air defence, compared to Pakistan.
- Claim Review : CNN claims that India suffered heavier losses than Pakistan in Operation Sindoor
- Claimed By : FB UserHarsh Chhikara
- Fact Check : False
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