Pakistani officials have accused India of fabricating claims that Pakistan used a Shaheen ballistic missile during recent military hostilities, alleging that this false narrative was intended to bolster India’s diplomatic efforts and portray Pakistan as a reckless nuclear actor.
The controversy arose after the Indian Army’s Western Command released, and subsequently deleted, a video showing visuals of a Shaheen missile. Despite the lack of official confirmation from New Delhi, the video sparked media speculation about Pakistan’s use of nuclear-capable missiles. Pakistani officials contend that this move was a strategic attempt by India to divert attention from its own aggressive actions during Operation Sindoor and to influence global perceptions.
The timing of the video’s release coincided with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s diplomatic outreach to several European countries, suggesting a coordinated effort to frame Pakistan negatively on the international stage. Pakistani authorities have categorically denied deploying Shaheen-class systems during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, asserting that only conventional missile systems were used. The Foreign Office labeled the Indian media claims as “baseless and provocative,” emphasizing that the operations were consistent with Pakistan’s strategic doctrine.
This incident underscores the complex interplay of information warfare and nuclear signaling in South Asia, highlighting the potential risks of misinformation in a volatile regional context.