#FactCheck -Misleading Claim Uses 2013 Army Coffin Photo to Spread False Ceasefire Narrative
Executive Summary
Social media users, particularly Pakistani propaganda accounts, shared an image showing coffins wrapped in the Indian tricolour and claimed that India violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC). According to the posts, Pakistan retaliated with heavy firing, captured the Indian Army’s Kumar Top post, and several Indian soldiers were killed in the exchange.
One user wrote, “Breaking News: Indian Army once again violated the ceasefire in the Mandal sector, targeting civilians with mortar shelling. Pakistan responded strongly, captured the Indian Army’s Kumar Top post, and several soldiers were reportedly killed. Calm has now been restored after Pakistan’s response.”
Fact Check
Research by CyberPeace found the viral claim to be false. Using reverse image search, we traced the viral photo to the Shutterstock website. The image description states that it was taken on August 6, 2013, and shows Indian Army personnel standing near the coffins of soldiers who were killed by Pakistani infiltrators at a brigade headquarters in Poonch, located about 240 km from Jammu. This confirms that the image is old and unrelated to recent developments along the Line of Control.
Further verification led us to a report published by NBC News on August 8, 2013, which also featured the same visual in connection with the 2013 cross-border attack.
Additionally, posts from the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Indian Army 16 Corps (White Knight Corps) stated that based on intelligence inputs and continuous surveillance, suspicious terrorist activity was detected near Nathua Tibba in the Sunderbani sector close to the LoC in the early hours of February 19, 2026. Alert troops responded promptly and successfully foiled the infiltration attempt. The Army also confirmed that operational vigilance remains high across the sector. However, there were no reports of casualties due to Pakistani firing.
Conclusion:
The viral image showing coffins of Indian soldiers is not recent but dates back to 2013. There are no confirmed reports of casualties from Pakistani firing along the Line of Control in the current context. Therefore, the claim circulating on social media is misleading.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary
Amid uncertainty over the future of the two-week ceasefire following 21 hours of inconclusive talks between the United States and Iran, two videos linked to Israel are going viral on social media.In one clip, a man speaking at a microphone is suddenly attacked by another person. Some users claim the video shows an incident inside Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.
In another video, a similar scene is being shared with the claim that a Member of Parliament assaulted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, a research by the CyberPeace found both claims to be false. The videos are old and unrelated to Israel.
Claim
An Instagram user shared one of the videos claiming it shows an attack inside the Israeli parliament.Another user shared a similar clip alleging that an MP assaulted Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Fact Check
First Video
We extracted keyframes from the first viral clip and conducted a reverse image search. The footage was found on the YouTube channel of AFP News Agency, uploaded on April 15, 2024. According to the report, the video shows a scuffle inside the parliament of Georgia. The clash broke out after the government reintroduced a controversial bill, during which an opposition leader punched a ruling party MP, triggering chaos in the chamber.
The same incident was also reported by BBC on April 16, 2024, confirming that the video is from Georgia and not Israel.
Second Video
The second video has also circulated earlier with similar claims. Verification shows that it dates back to January 2013 and is from Bulgaria. Footage uploaded by the YouTube channel “On Demand News” on January 19, 2013 shows an attack on Bulgarian political leader Ahmed Dogan, when a man pointed a gun at him before being overpowered by security personnel.
Conclusion
The viral claims are false and misleading. Neither of the videos is related to Israel. The first clip is from Georgia’s parliament in April 2024, while the second dates back to a 2013 incident in Bulgaria. Both videos have been taken out of context and falsely linked to Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to mislead viewers.
There is no evidence of any such attack in Israel’s parliament or on its prime minister as claimed. Users are advised to verify information before sharing such content, especially during sensitive geopolitical situations.
Introduction
India has been a nation where technology penetration has been a little slower in the previous decades; however, that has changed now. Cyberspace has influenced and touched every country and has significantly diminished the gap between developing nations, developed nations, and underdeveloped nations. This has also been substantiated and strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic as the world went into lockdown and the cyberspace was the only medium of communication and information. India witnessed a rise of 61% in terms of internet users, and a significant part of this number represented rural India.
New Standards
These standards have been released in threefold aspects covering – Digital Television Receivers, USB Type-C chargers, and Video Surveillance Systems, thus streamlining the use of gadgets and reduction of e-waste for the country.
1. Digital Television Receivers
The Indian standard IS 18112:2022 specification for digital television, and this standard would enable reception of free-to-air TV and radio channels just by connecting a dish antenna with LNB mounted on a suitable area with good signal reception. This will help in the transmission of knowledge about government initiatives and schemes, the educational content of Doordarshan, and the repository of Indian cultural programs. Doordarshan is in the process of phasing out analog transmission, and free-to-air channels will continue to be broadcast using digital satellite transmission. The keen aspects of educational and awareness programs run by the Govt and CSOs will impact more Indians than before as the Ministry of Information and Broadcast intends to increase their free channels of Doordarshan from 55 to 200 by the end of this year, which shows the importance of developments in the mass media industry.
2. USB Type C
Standard (IS/IEC 62680-1-3:2022) for USB Type-C receptacles, plugs, and cables adopting the existing global standard IEC 62680-1-3:2022. This standard provides for the requirements for USB type C ports and cables for use in various electronic devices like laptops, mobile phones, and other gadgets. This standard is similar to the new European standard, which is also aimed at the reduction of carbon emissions and e-waste; this move will result in ease for the industry and the end users. This will also contribute towards the strengthening of the cyber security aspects and prevent threats like ‘Juice Jacking’ to a massive extent.
3. Video Surveillance System
IS 16190, this standard provides a detailed outline of the aspects of a video surveillance system, such as requirements for its components like camera devices, interfaces, system requirements, and tests to ascertain the camera’s image quality on different devices. This series of standards would assist customers, installers, and users in establishing their requirements and determining the appropriate equipment required for their intended application and also provide means of evaluating the performance of the VSS objectively. This will also help in the improvement of surveillance by the individuals, and this will also help in the better investigation by Law enforcement agencies and faster apprehension of criminals, thus contributing to an overall safe society.
The Advantages
These standards are in power with the Internationally prevalent standards, thus taking the safety factors to the global aspect. This will also allow the Indian industry to create world-class products which can be shared all across the globe. This will open India to various opportunities and job avenues, thus opening the world to invest in India. The aspect of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Digital India will be strengthened to a new level as the nation will be able to deliver products in power with quality in developed countries. The end Indian consumer will benefit the most from these upgraded standards in terms of Digital Televisions, Type ‘C’ USB chargers, and Video surveillance systems, as these impacts the consumers’ daily activities in terms of security and access to information.
- Reduction in Carbon Emission
- Production of World Class components and devices
- Boost to the economy and Atmanirbhar Bharat
- New avenues and opportunities for startups and MSMEs
- Better transmission of Knowledge
- Boosting FDI
- Improved quality of products for the end consumer
- New innovation hubs and exposure to global talents
This government move simply shows how India is working toward securing the Sustainable development Goals (SDG) by United Nations. This clearly shares the message to the world that India is ready for the future and will also be a helping hand to various developing and underdeveloped nations in the times to come.
Conclusion
These standards will significantly contribute towards the reduction of E-Waste and unnecessary accessories for daily use gadgets. This strengthens the reduction in carbon emissions and thus contributes towards the perseverance of the environment and working towards sustainable development goals. Such standards will lead the future towards securing the netizens and their new and evolving digital habits. In the current phase of cyberspace, the most essential aspect of establishing Critical Infrastructure as the same will act as a shield against the threats of cyberspace.
Executive Summary
A video showing a helicopter engulfed in flames is being widely circulated on social media with the claim that it depicts an American Black Hawk helicopter shot down by Iran during the ongoing Middle East conflict. However, research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false. The viral footage is old and dates back to February 2020, showing a helicopter shot down in Syria, not Iran.
Claim
A Facebook post shared from Nigeria on April 6, 2026, claimed: “The moment an American Black Hawk helicopter was struck by an Iranian heat-seeking missile.” The post, which has been shared over 100 times, includes a 50-second video showing a helicopter exploding mid-air and crashing to the ground.
Fact Check
On April 3, a US F-15E Strike Eagle was reportedly shot down over Iran, marking the first such incident since the start of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Two Black Hawk helicopter deployed for a search-and-rescue mission for the jet’s crew were also hit by Iranian fire but managed to return to base, despite some crew members being injured.
- http://abcnews.com/Politics/us-fighter-jet-iran-search-rescue-officials/story?id=131685787&utm_source=chatgpt.com
US President Donald Trump had earlier announced the recovery of a missing pilot, describing it as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history.
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However, the viral video being shared as evidence of the downing of a US aircraft predates these events. Using reverse image search on keyframes from the clip, we found a longer version published by Euronews on February 11, 2020. The Arabic title of the video translates to: “Syrian regime helicopter shot down in Idlib, two pilots killed.” Reports indicate that the incident occurred in Idlib, Syria, in February 2020, where a military helicopter was shot down and caught fire before crashing.
The incident was also covered by other international media outlets, including AFP, which distributed images and videos of the crash.
- https://www.afpforum.com/AFPForum/Search/ViewMedia.aspx?mui=1&hid=5DFA75509C25E3CDC3F24CA3B41C1A9A854C8AA3EB2BC1C64FCC0192F0506138
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The footage does not show an American helicopter shot down by Iran. Instead, it is an old video from February 2020 depicting a helicopter crash in Syria, which is being shared with a misleading and unrelated narrative.
