Recent online assertions claiming damage at Srinagar Airport due to the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict have been thoroughly discredited through a meticulous evaluation of satellite imagery. An image circulating on social media that suggested a structural column at the airport was compromised during military operations has been proven false. A side-by-side comparison of pre- and post-conflict satellite visuals clearly indicates no signs of damage, pointing to the likelihood that the image was digitally manipulated or misrepresented.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of disinformation that has arisen amid escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, which intensified following a terror attack in April 2025. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has noted an increase in the use of digital platforms as vectors for narrative warfare, where emotionally charged or manipulated content can further entrench divisions and shape public perception.
Accompanying the Srinagar Airport incident, other false claims have circulated, including misleading images alleging that India’s Narendra Modi Stadium was in ruins. The Guardian reported on May 28, 2025, about this kind of disinformation, labeling it as part of a “digital frontier in warfare.” These manipulated visuals are proliferating on social media and messaging platforms within both countries.
In the wake of a deadly terror attack on April 22, 2025, that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, the Indian government enacted Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. As part of this operation, civilian flight operations were suspended at several key northern airports, including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, and Amritsar. Srinagar Airport was put under the direct control of the Indian Air Force for operational purposes; however, contrary to viral claims, no actual structural damage occurred at the facility.
Pakistan’s state media previously reported alleged successful strikes on 15 Indian air bases, including Srinagar. In response, the Indian government rejected these claims as part of a “malicious misinformation campaign,” a stance supported by independent fact-checkers and updates tracked on platforms like Wikipedia regarding the 2025 conflict.
Reports from CSOHate.org on May 16, 2025, have revealed how information campaigns in India are being characterized by players as “electronic warfare” aimed at countering enemy propaganda with verified content and psychological tactics.
Amid a ceasefire that was declared on May 10 and with Pakistani airspace reopening to commercial traffic, experts emphasize the urgency of combating misinformation that can derail peace-building efforts. The unfounded reports concerning Srinagar Airport exemplify the critical need for improved media literacy and vigilant monitoring of digital content in times of conflict. As of June 2, 2025, Srinagar Airport remains fully operational and intact, albeit under enhanced security protocols, with no verified damage reported.
