Hazira Port in Gujarat attacked? PIB fact check says fake news

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Friday dismissed social media claims suggesting an attack on Hazira Port in Gujarat, confirming that a widely circulated video allegedly showing the incident is unrelated and misleading. According to PIB’s Fact Check Unit, the footage in question actually depicts an oil tanker explosion that occurred on 7 July 2021 and has no connection to the present situation.In a post on X, the PIB warned users not to share the video, describing it as part of a growing wave of misinformation.“This is an unrelated video confirmed to depict an oil tanker explosion. The video is dated July 7, 2021. Do not share this video,” the unit posted.The fact check comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following precision strikes carried out by India under Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Indian officials said the strikes aimed at dismantling infrastructure linked to terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, in retaliation for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.The PIB has also previously warned that Pakistan-backed propaganda would intensify online and urged citizens to verify content before sharing. “In the coming days, your social media will be flooded with Pakistan-sponsored propaganda. If you encounter dubious content, especially related to the Indian Armed Forces or the ongoing situation, report it to #PIBFactCheck,” the bureau stated.Additionally, another video circulated by Pakistani accounts alleging the destruction of an Indian Army post was also debunked. The PIB clarified that there is no such unit as the "20 Raj Battalion" and labelled the footage as staged and fake, calling it part of a deliberate attempt to spread panic and confusion among the public.