Following recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Pakistani authorities cautioned against a coordinated social media campaign of misinformation and propaganda designed to tarnish Pakistan’s reputation.
Rumors that US B-2 stealth bombers carried out the attacks in Pakistani airspace are utterly untrue, according to government sources.
“No US aircraft, including B-2 bombers, entered or overflew Pakistan’s airspace, according to our radars and air defense systems,” a Ministry of Defense official stated.
Officials also charged anti-Pakistan elements with creating and disseminating these false narratives in an effort to confuse the public and harm Pakistan’s reputation abroad.
“Groups hostile to Pakistan use such false claims as part of a traditional propaganda playbook,” the source continued.
The government has advised people to report any suspicious posts or accounts spreading false information and to only trust information that has been confirmed by official sources.
Authorities have promised to take action against those found to be the masterminds of the disinformation campaign and are keeping a careful eye on social media.
U.S. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flying from Guam routed their mission to Iran through Indian airspace, according to defense sources and a recently published simulation.
Although analysts say India’s cooperation would have been essential to the mission’s success, New Delhi has not confirmed or denied granting overflight rights. The attack signaled a dramatic increase in American action against Iran’s nuclear program and prompted urgent diplomatic meetings in regional capitals.
