Pakistan refutes Indian claims of using Shaheen missiles

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Monday rejected the claims made in Indian media, which mentioned the use of nuclear-capable Shaheen missiles during the recent conflict with India.  

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected the unfounded allegations circulating in certain segments of the Indian media, which falsely claim that Pakistan employed the Shaheen missile during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.”

It was Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, who issued the statement.

HOW DID THE LIE SPREAD

The reaction came after the Indian army on Sunday falsely claimed that Pakistan launched Shaheen missile during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

Shaheen is a medium-range missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Its variant Shaheen-III has a maximum range of 2,750 kilometres.

As New Delhi could not substantiate the claims, the Indian army had to delete the video. However, different media outlets continue spreading the lie.

That is why the Foreign Office spokesperson also noted this sordid episode in his statement.

He said the Indian army deleted the “misleading video” after realising that the claim was “unsubstantiated”.

“Regrettably, some Indian outlets continue to propagate this misinformation.”

The spokesperson went on to say, “It is noteworthy that the Indian Army’s official handle has remained silent on the matter, offering neither clarification nor retraction for the erroneous post.”

DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN

In his statement, Shafqat also discussed the issue of the ongoing disinformation campaign.

“Analysts observe that such disinformation campaigns are part of a deliberate attempt to obscure India’s setbacks in Operation Sindoor, which were a result of Pakistan’s demonstrated conventional military capabilities.”

“Additionally, these fabricated stories align with New Delhi’s ongoing efforts to promote a misleading narrative regarding the ceasefire and baseless allegations of so- called ‘nuclear blackmail’ by Pakistan.”